Pubdate: Thu, 04 Feb 2016
Source: Alberni Valley News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 Alberni Valley News
Contact:  http://www.albernivalleynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4247
Author: Fred Mann

LAWS ARE MADE FOR A REASON

To the Editor,

During a public hearing at city hall regarding licensing and bylaw
amendments for retail sale of medicinal marijuana, I asked council
whether this was legal under current Canadian legislation. It is not!

Drug laws under federal jurisdiction are not amendable by municipal
governments. Some city councillors disregard this and are considering
issuing licenses to illicit businesses which are operating despite
being unlicensed.

If unchallenged, RCMP credibility might be questioned for the lack of
enforcement.

The expectation of Port Alberni citizens is that the RCMP and city
councillors would uphold Canadian law.

Proponents on this issue appeared to be well prepared as I heard much
polished, flowery rhetoric about the humanitarian need for marijuana
for everything from headache to severe cancer pain.

Admittedly there may be need for marijuana use in authentic cases, but
let's not be fooled. There wouldn't be a store to be seen if these
"humanitarian" clinics didn't involve money. The number and speed with
which these stores appeared indicates a strong belief that there is
money to be made.

Common sense dictates the more product you send out the door, for
whatever purpose, the more money you make.

By operating illegally, proponents have proven they are quite prepared
to break the law.

Laws protect Canadians and bring order to society. Given that
political promises don't always become reality and may not in this
case either, the correct process should be to wait until the new law
is drafted and then to review regulations and implementation.

Truly medicinal marijuana should be distributed through regulated
pharmacies which already have secure premises and quality control.

I realize there are difficult decisions to be made. We had better get
this right since there will be consequences in this decision for
council, the RCMP, and our community.

Fred Mann,

Port Alberni
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MAP posted-by: Matt