Pubdate: Wed, 21 Dec 2016
Source: Rocky Mountain Outlook (CN AB)
Copyright: Rocky Mountain Outlook 2016
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/hpqb8Yy3
Website: http://rockymountainoutlook.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3399
Author: Cathy Ellis

NEW BANFF SHOP FOR POT PARAPHERNALIA

A company with medical marijuana dispensaries in Vancouver is the
latest place in Banff to get marijuana products and
paraphernalia.

It's unclear, however, if Canna Clinic has any plans to turn its new
Bear Street location into Banff's first dispensary once the federal
government legalizes recreational marijuana.

Selling and processing marijuana for non-medical purposes is currently
illegal in Canada, but the federal government wants to legalize
marijuana and the task force it appointed to study the issue last week
recommended marijuana be allowed to be sold at storefronts.

Town of Banff planner Dave Michaels said the planning and development
department approved a business licence application for general retail
last week, but he couldn't speak to whether it could legally be turned
into a dispensary in future.

"Because we have no idea about what that legislation will look like,
it's impossible to say," said Michaels. "However, when doing research,
they do have dispensaries within Vancouver."

A spokesperson for Canna Clinic did not get back to the
Outlook.

Last week, a federally-appointed task force released a series of
recommendations following its study on the legalization of
recreational marijuana.

The task force recommended marijuana be sold in storefronts and by
mail order.

In addition, the minimum age would be 18 and it must be sold away from
schools and not with alcohol; and that people could carry up to 30
grams and grow four plants at home.

The Liberal government may choose to accept or reject the task force's
recommendations when it crafts pot legalization legislation, which is
expected to be tabled in spring 2017.

Many municipalities are in the process of developing legislation to
deal with anticipated new laws on production, distribution and sale of
marijuana and related cannabis products in advance of announcements
from the federal government next year.

Randall McKay, Banff's planning and development manager, said the Town
wants to be proactive and ensure the tools are in place within Banff's
land use regulations to manage this forthcoming federal
legislation.

"Planning and Development has received a number of inquiries to date
and it would be prudent to be prepared," he said.

"Our plan is to research and consult with municipalities and develop
legislative mechanisms within our Land Use Bylaw."

Once a framework is developed, McKay said council would be able to
consider any proposed changes.

He said council has not been briefed on the issue to date, only that
the Town of Banff intends to develop tools.

"It is important to keep in mind that federal legislation takes
precedent," McKay said.

"Our role is to determine how the federal legislation will fit within
the Town's Land Use Bylaw and other regulations. We have yet to
determine what it will look like."
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MAP posted-by: Matt