Pubdate: Fri, 17 Jun 2016
Source: Metro (Vancouver, CN BC)
Page: 10
Copyright: 2016 Metro Canada
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/vancouver
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3775
Author: Wanyee Li

NEW INJUNCTIONS SET TO ROLL ON POT SHOPS

Marijuana Advocates Rail Against 'Waste of Tax Dollars'

Three of the 17 medical marijuana dispensaries named in injunction 
applications filed by the City of Vancouver last month have 
voluntarily closed down and more injunctions are coming by the end of 
the month, according to councillor Kerry Jang.

He called it a small victory in the fight to regulate pot shops in the city.

"We are slowly but surely getting compliance," he said.

The city has handed out 351 tickets to the 52 locations that remain 
open past the city's closure deadline of April 29.

Only 51 tickets, each worth $250, have been paid, according to Jang.

But those unpaid tickets will actually hurt the store owners who are 
not paying up because the city is using those records to decide who 
will be named in the next round of injunctions, which will include 10 
locations, said Jang.

"Part of the evidence of court is how many tickets we give out and 
how many times they refuse to pay it."

Pot advocate Jodie Emery said she received a 21-day injunction notice 
from the provincial courts on June 9 to shut down a Cannabis Culture 
franchise (512 Beatty St.).

"I think that it is appalling that the City of Vancouver is wasting 
tax dollars enforcing bylaws against dispensaries when the public 
clearly supports dispensaries," said Emery.

But the city is not aiming to get rid of all marijuana dispensaries - 
only the ones that do not play by the rules, said Jang.

"Its about ensuring we have adequate access for people who need 
medical marijuana but at the same time hitting our public policy 
goals of keeping it (away from) children and minors."

The city approved the first and only business licence, so far, for a 
medical marijuana dispensary in May.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom