Pubdate: Tue, 13 Dec 2016
Source: Penticton Herald (CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 The Okanagan Valley Group of Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.pentictonherald.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/664
Author: Ron Barillaro

NO EASY FIX WITH POT ISSUE

Dear editor:

Council is at it again. At what you might ask? Council seems to be
setting precedents everywhere. The Prime Minister is in trouble as
City of Penticton is on the loose. This is shown by council's decision
to issue temporary

business licenses to marijuana purveyors.

Before I go any further and for those who are ardent marijuana
advocates, I will clarify my stance on the subject.

This is my personal opinion and only my personal opinion on the issue.
I am not totally against marijuana use for anyone else (except
youngsters and small children).

Using marijuana is completely up to the person who wishes to use or
requires this product. It is however, how this mayor, council and
staff makes their own decisions against the Canadian laws that are
currently in place regarding marijuana that really bothers me.

The prime minister, promised to resolve the marijuana question once
and for all as an election promise. Here is what we know at this
point. Marijuana remains a , and, unless otherwise regulated for
production and distribution for , is subject to offences under that
act.

Possessing and selling marijuana for non-medical purposes is still
illegal everywhere in Canada.

Recently, COP authorized temporary licensing for two marijuana outlet
shops. Another individual marijuana merchant was "as he puts it
snubbed" and, as a consequence, is threatening to sue the city because
of it. Not that I side with this man but wow, another expense to us as
taxpayers, perhaps? It begs the question be asked: "How many times
will COP shoot itself in the foot before realizing that it hurts?"

In the spring of 2017, the Government of Canada will propose to
Parliament and Canadians a new legislative framework for the
legalization of marijuana. However, as this statement denotes, a new
legislative framework will be presented. It does not go so far as to
say "total legalization."

This matter is a very controversial one and requires more than just
talk and a rubber stamp. If there happened to be a simple fix, the
government would have acted on it by now.

Back to the council and its decision to "massage" the law of the land,
so to speak. Reasons for issuing these licenses range from "other
large cities are doing it!"

People want access to purchasing marijuana now irrespective of
government red tape. Several U.S. states are doing it. To me the real
reason for COP in issuing these licences is because they think that
they can!

In answer to these reasons, we are not a large metropolitan city. We
are not in the U.S. No they don't have the authority to override
federal law.

If this is indeed the case, don't be surprised at an announcement
coming forward inviting us all down to Skaha Park to see COP walk on
water!

Ron Barillaro

Penticton
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MAP posted-by: Matt