Pubdate: Thu, 05 Oct 2017
Source: Parksville Qualicum Beach News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2017 Black Press
Contact:  http://www.pqbnews.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1361
Author: Lauren Collins

DISPENSARY DENIED IN PQ

Residents speak of need for local marijuana shop

For some Qualicum Beach residents, medical marijuana is part of their
everyday lives. But they will still have to go out of town for
remedies for their ailments.

At Monday's (Oct. 2) regular council meeting a motion to issue a
temporary-use permit for a medical marijuana dispensary on Fir Street
failed. Only councillors Bill Luchtmeijer and Neil Horner voted in
favour of issuing the temporary-use permit.

While discussing the permit later in the meeting, Luchtmeijer said
Qualicum Beach is probably a very appropriate place for a medical
marijuana dispensary.

"I think the way to address the pains of aging right now is an opioid
which diminishes mental health function," Luchtmeijer said. "It's
debilitating. It's very addictive and this (medicinal cannabis) offers
an opportunity. I know from experience within my immediate family,
that opportunity is a blessing."

Coun. Barry Avis said that while there is no question medicinal
marijuana is beneficial to a lot of people, he wondered if there was
anything illegal with issuing a business licence or if the RCMP would
be able to come in and close the dispensary the following day.

Town CAO Daniel Sailland said while there is nothing illegal with
issuing a business licence, he said if the RCMP had cause for a search
warrant they would put an application in through the court system.

"The courts are also cognizant that on July 1 next year, we're
supposed to see legalization of this process," said Sailland, adding
the courts may not issue warrants if they feel it would come to court
after July 1, 2018.

Mayor Teunis Westbroek said he didn't find it easy to be opposed to
the temporary-use permit.

"It's still technically illegal… and to say, 'It's contrary to federal
law, but we're going to do it anyway,' as a representative of a
government body, I don't think I can do this," Westbroek said.

Westbroek said he can sympathize with people who want and can use a
local medical marijuana dispensary, but he said he has to uphold the
law.

At the beginning of the meeting was a public input period and two
women who got up to speak were medical marijuana users. They both said
having a local dispensary would help medical marijuana users to shop
locally since they said most people that need to go out of town for
their marijuana will take advantage of the shopping in that area.

Anita Roy, a Nanoose Bay resident who owns a medical cannabis
dispensary in Errington, said she's noticed a positive impact on
surrounding businesses.

"There are no kids hanging around, there is no crime," Roy said. "It's
a bunch of old people, frankly, walking in to get a substitute for
their opioid prescriptions that they're not happy with."

Roy said there are some negative perceptions with dispensaries.

"All day long, I deal with people my own age, and your age, who come
in for pain, insomnia, depression, anxiety, pain again, and then pain
and pain again, cancer… A host of problems that can be and are
successfully addressed with cannabis. So there's nothing to be afraid
of," Roy said.