Pubdate: Fri, 29 Jan 2016
Source: Vancouver 24hours (CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 Vancouver 24 hrs.
Contact: http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/letters
Website: http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3837
Author: Eric MacKenzie
Page: 3

'BUSINESS AS USUAL' FOR VPD ON POT SHOPS

Vancouver Police Are Awaiting Federal Regulations Before Altering Course

The Vancouver Police Department won't be changing its directive on 
marijuana dispensaries despite a recommendation from the Office of 
the Police Complaint Commissioner to consider enacting a new policy.

The police board voted Thursday to respond to the complaint - issued 
by Pamela McColl of Smart Approaches to Marijuana Canada - by stating 
it's premature to alter course on dispensaries when the new federal 
government has committed to legalization.

"We're satisfied that in the current circumstances that the directive 
we have out to our members is sufficient direction to them," Deputy 
Chief Doug LePard told the board. "That may change in the future when 
the legislation comes into being."

For the past year, front-line officers have not been permitted to 
take enforcement action against a dispensary without approval from 
their district commander and the department's Organized Crime Section.

"The department is just business as usual," said Chief Adam Palmer. 
"We prioritize our resources, we go after methamphetamine, heroin, 
cocaine and things like that - that's a higher priority - and 
fentanyl, which is killing people in our streets. Marijuana falls 
into the scheme of things but definitely low down in priority.

"We'll look into things if it's organized crime-related, 
youth-related, but that's where we sit with that. Nothing's changed."

Vancouver council will vote Tuesday on a motion by Coun. Melissa De 
Genova calling for closure orders to be issued to all of the city's 
medical marijuana-related retail businesses and a moratorium on 
development permit reviews and issuing of business licences for 
dispensaries while awaiting federal legislation.

The Non-Partisan Association councillor's motion will almost 
certainly be defeated.

"It's the same backward approach that the Harper Conservative 
government had and it failed," said Mayor Gregor Robertson. "So it's 
disappointing to see this rear its head again when we see a 
progressive stance being taken by the Trudeau government.

"We're looking forward to new federal standards and approach with 
marijuana that we can address. In the meantime, we're already rolling 
forward with changes in the way we deal with it in Vancouver in 
making sure dispensaries are appropriate distance from schools and 
from each other."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom