Pubdate: Wed, 08 Mar 2017
Source: Sooke News Mirror (CN BC)
Copyright: 2017 Sooke News Mirror
Contact:  http://www.sookenewsmirror.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2142
Author: Kevin Laird
Page: 13

DISTRICT CAUTIOUS AS IT AWAITS POT LEGISLATION

Until the federal government legalizes marijuana, the District of
Sooke won't allow any more pot dispensaries in Sooke, says Mayor Maja
Tait.

"We're not interested in any more - 3 is enough," she
said.

Tait made the comments the same day Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said
in Victoria that new legislation would come before Parliament this
summer.

"We'll wait to see how we proceed. We need to see what the federal
legislation and provincial regulations look like before we see what
role we take," she said.

Sooke's pot dispensaries started popping up in town within weeks of
each other last spring. Critics argue there are more marijuana
dispensaries in Sooke than drug stores.

Pot problems are a big issue for municipalities with retail outlets
selling untested marijuana products in defiance of federal and local
laws. Oils and concentrates are sold in some dispensaries and used in
baked goods.

Marijuana dispensaries are illegal, according to federal
regulations.

Municipalities have tackled the issue in many ways. Some cities allow
the stores to operate without a business licence, others sell business
licences, while another tact is to close pot dispensaries when they
open.

Langford made headlines recently when a pot dispensary opened there.
It was closed down three times by police.

Sooke RCMP keeps a watch on the local marijuana dispensaries, but have
decided not to shut them down, said Staff Sgt. Jeff McArthur.

Instead, Sooke police officers are targeting hard drug traffickers and
attempting to curb illegal opiates in the community - an approach
favoured by the mayor.

"I'd rather see the RCMP is dealing with harder drugs," Tait said.
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MAP posted-by: Matt