Pubdate: Tue, 31 May 2016
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Copyright: 2016 The Globe and Mail Company
Contact:  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168
Author: John O'Sullivan
Page: 10
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v16/n377/a05.html

HIGH EXPECTATIONS

Re Dispensing With Common Sense (editorial, May 30): The pot shop
issue is really quite simple. Close them. There are 31 licensed
producers in Canada under the marijuana for medical purposes
regulations. They are listed on Health Canada's website. Clients, with
a doctor's authorization, order their product from one of these and it
is delivered by courier. This is the legal way to buy medical marijuana.

Marijuana sold in pot shops, dispensaries and compassion clubs is an
illegal product. Concerns about pesticides, fungicides, mould and
irradiation are valid. There are no controls in the black market.

Bill Blair, who is heading the task force that is crafting the new
marijuana laws, has made it clear that storefront operations selling
unregulated product will not be part of the plan. The government will
work with the provinces to determine how retailing will be regulated;
Premier Kathleen Wynne has said she thinks the Liquor Control Board of
Ontario model makes sense.

It won't be storefront operations hiding under banners like
"compassion," "dispensary" and "medical." What they're doing used to
be simply called trafficking. Bravo, Toronto police. Get on it, Vancouver.

John O'Sullivan, Toronto
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MAP posted-by: Matt