Pubdate: Wed, 13 Apr 2016
Source: Campbell River Mirror (CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 Campbell River Mirror
Contact:  http://www.campbellrivermirror.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1380
Author: Kristen Douglas

CITY COUNCIL MOVES TO MAKE POT DISPENSARIES ILLEGAL

City council is considering changes to its zoning bylaw that would 
prohibit marijuana operations - including dispensaries - in Campbell River.

City staff said the city's position is that the sale of marijuana is 
illegal, as dictated by the federal government.

At Monday night's council meeting, city council gave first and second 
reading to a bylaw amendment that prohibits all marijuana operations 
unless they are legally permitted through Health Canada and have the 
proper paperwork to prove it.

The city is defining 'marijuana operation' as cultivating, growing, 
producing, packaging, storing, distributing, dispensing, destroying, 
trading or selling of cannabis or its derivatives.

Kevin Brooks, the city's development services supervisor, said in 
light of medical marijuana dispensaries popping up around the 
province, including two in Campbell River - Trees Dispensary and 
WeeMedical - there's a need for clarity over the legality of such shops.

"Although there are municipalities who have made the decision to 
begin licensing cannabis dispensaries in the absence of federal 
government legislation, staff recommend that the City of Campbell 
River does not follow suit," Brooks said. "It is recommended that 
city council only consider permitting cannabis dispensaries once the 
federal government makes a decision to decriminalize this use, as 
such the suggested additions to the zoning bylaw are recommended to 
clarify this issue."

Brooks said there are numerous organizations wishing to open 
unauthorized marijuana operations and when such facilities open 
without federal government approval, the enforcement falls upon local 
RCMP and communities, resulting in increased strain on city resources.

Trees Dispensary on 14th Avenue has already been paid at least one 
visit by the RCMP which raided the dispensary last Thursday afternoon.

Mounties seized all money, cannabis flower and cannabis extracts on 
site but did not confiscate any of the edible marijuana products.

Alex Robb, spokesperson for Trees, told the Mirror last week that the 
police's actions indicate they view cannabis flowers and cannabis 
extracts as illegal.

WeeMedical, meanwhile, has been visited by city bylaw officers. City 
Clerk Peter Wipper said the city and the RCMP are monitoring the 
situation with the dispensaries.

"Until such time that the federal government changes the rules, it 
will be the city's position that the use of a marijuana dispensary 
would be illegal."

Mayor Andy Adams said Monday night that the city, however, is 
prepared to change the bylaw again to reflect the federal 
government's rules around production and distribution once that 
decision is made.

"There's no question the world is changing in this regard," Adams 
said. "What we're saying is that the City of Campbell River will be 
ready to make amendments to the bylaw as soon as there's clarity from 
the federal and provincial governments."

With council giving first and second reading to the bylaw amendment 
to prohibit marijuana operations, a public hearing has been triggered.

The hearing will likely take place at the start of the April 25 
council meeting and the public is invited to speak to the amendment.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom