Pubdate: Thu, 01 Oct 2015 Source: Winnipeg Sun (CN MB) Copyright: 2015 Canoe Limited Partnership Contact: http://www.winnipegsun.com/letter-to-editor Website: http://www.winnipegsun.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/503 Author: Joyanne Pursaga Page: 5 REGULATE IT Councillors Want Medical-Pot Rules in Place Locally Before National Legalization Two Winnipeg city councillors want to explore how the city could regulate marijuana-related businesses. Coun. Ross Eadie (Mynarski)'s motion calls on city staff to report on possible rules and restrictions for medical marijuana dispensaries, head shops and others selling pot-related products before the drug is potentially legalized under federal law. If elected, the federal Liberals vowed Wednesday to begin legalizing marijuana "right away." "Society is changing. It's very clear. So let's get on top of this," said Eadie. "The majority of the people in this country believe that cannabis is harmless." Eadie noted he's open to the idea of medical marijuana dispensaries in Winnipeg. He said restrictions, similar to those the city has for body rub parlours and bath houses, could help control the impact of such stores. Limits could include not allowing the businesses to be located near schools and other youth-oriented areas, said Matt Allard (St. Boniface), who seconded the motion. "We have some of these facilities sporadically popping up across the city and right now the city doesn't have, to my knowledge, any regulatory framework in how to deal with these shops," said Allard. "Conceivably, one could open up right in front of a pool, a splash pad or a community centre." Vancouver city bylaws already allow medical marijuana dispensaries to operate legally without Health Canada clearance. Glenn Price, owner of Your Medical Cannabis Headquarters, said the motion offers hope that he could once again fill medicinal pot prescriptions at his Main Street store, which also lacks Health Canada approval. "At least the city is moving forward with this and looking at options in other cities that are doing this," said Price. "It's about time Winnipeg got on board." Police shut down Price's dispensary Aug. 4 and charged him with trafficking, drug possession and related offences. Price re-opened the business Aug. 11 as a lounge where medicinal pot users can medicate, which police say is legal. Mayor Brian Bowman declined to weigh in on the issue, noting it's not his top priority. "I'm focused on addressing the priorities of Winnipeggers and that really boils down to openness and transparency at City Hall, on fixing our roads," said Bowman. Medical marijuana user and advocate Steven Stairs said the city must consult with patients using the drug while crafting any new restrictions and avoid portraying patients and dispensers in a negative light. "We are against the idea of criminal elements selling marijuana," said Stairs. "We don't want to be labelled as nefarious elements of society." Eadie's motion was automatically referred to the city's October property and development committee meeting. - ---------------------------------------- [sidebar] In Other Cities Vancouver - Became the first city in Canada to regulate illegal marijuana dispensaries in June, a move declared a common-sense approach by the mayor. Victoria - Working on a Vancouver model; has cannabis clubs (non-profit dispensaries) that date back to the mid-'90s, those such arrangements aren't condoned by the federal government. In September, Health Canada sent cease-and-desist orders to many of these clubs (and some in Vancouver). Toronto - Several dispensaries operate without regulation. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom