Pubdate: Fri, 22 Jan 2016
Source: Nanaimo Daily News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 Black Press, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.nanaimodailynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1608
Author: Spencer Anderson

DISPENSARY WANTS NANAIMO TO REGULATE POT SHOPS

Despite a December raid by Nanaimo RCMP, three marijuana dispensaries 
remain open in Nanaimo and at least one says it is consulting with 
the city to develop possible municipal regulations for shops.

On Dec. 1, the RCMP raided three marijuana storefronts, arresting 
several people who were inside or working at the dispensaries. Police 
had sent cease and desist letters to several dispensaries in town.

Trees Dispensary, on Bowen Road, was one of them. However, Alex Robb, 
the community liaison for Trees, says it will remain open and wants 
to work within a regulatory framework established by the city.

The city did not return a call asking to confirm they are in 
consultations with the dispensary.

Approximately two weeks after the raid, city council voted to direct 
city staff to prepare a report looking at possible regulations the 
city might put in place, including examples from other jurisdictions 
like Vancouver.

Robb said his dispensary contacted to the RCMP following the raid 
"reiterating that we believe our practices are defensible under the 
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms."

Robb said the dispensary has not heard back from the RCMP.

Nanaimo RCMP spokesman Const. Gary O'Brien said police are conducting 
"an ongoing investigation" with regards to the dispensaries.

"We're aware of the fact that they say they'll continue to operate 
and we'll take that into consideration," O'Brien said.

Robb said dispensary staff will meet city officials to offer 
suggestions "on what we think are appropriate licensing regulations."

He said he favours a model proposed in Victoria, including minimum 
buffers from schools and community centres and licensing fees.

But not all agree.

Recently, B.C. Health Minister Terry lake told the Globe and Mail 
that he would rather see recreational marijuana sold at liquor stores 
rather than through dispensaries.

"The national debate about how cannabis is going to be legalized is 
beginning now," Robb said.

Nanaimo Mayor Bill McKay said difficulty for cities is a lack of 
clarity on how the federal government intends to move forward in 
legalizing cannabis and when.

McKay and other mayors have signed a joint letter seeking answers to 
those questions.

"I think that we're just as confused as everyone else is," McKay said.

McKay said municipalities "don't want to do something that's going to 
be scrapped immediately after" by the federal government after 
investing time and resources into local policies.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom