Pubdate: Fri, 31 Mar 2017
Source: Comox Valley Echo (CN BC)
Copyright: 2017 Comox Valley Echo
Website: http://www.comoxvalleyecho.com/
Contact:  http://www.mapinc.org/media/785
Author: Michael Briones
Page: 3

CUMBERLAND NOT SO HIGH RIGHT NOW ON MARIJUANA SHOPS

Four applicants must now wait until federal government legalizes pot,
maybe next year

Their hopes and expectations were high but they went crashing down in
the end.

That was the general feeling after four applicants vying for a
temporary use permit to establish a medical marijuana dispensary in
the Village of Cumberland did not get what they wanted.

Representatives from Trugreen Solutions, Cumberland Pot Pourri, Mid
Island Medicinals and Trichome Collective each presented their
respective plans to Cumberland council on Monday night hoping to make
a convincing case.

But council, who wanted the medical marijuana dispensary policy
established prior to the federal government legalizing marijuana, was
not as keen as they were when they started all this last June.

The eagerness shown by some of the councillors had drastically
changed. And that has led council not to allow dispensaries in the
village just yet.

Councillor Jesse Ketler recommended the permit be granted to Trichome
Collective and it was supported by councillor Sean Sullivan. But the
motion did not pass when Mayor Leslie Baird, councillors Roger Kishi
and Gwyn Sproule voted against it.

Sproule pointed out there is almost a 180 degree reversal of public
opinion on this issue. A survey held last year indicated most
residents endorse the establishment of a medical marijuana dispensary
but some residents, she said, are not clear about the legality of the
dispensaries.

"It's quite clear, it is illegal until it becomes legal," said
Sproule. "And that was something that a lot of people, including
myself, did not really quite understand and thought by making a bylaw
around it we would somehow have more opportunity to have input and to
regulate the business."

Sproule explained she supported the medical marijuana dispensary
policy so that the village will be ready when the federal government
legalizes marijuana in Canada. She prefers to wait until the Trudeau
government makes true its plan to legalize marijuana in 2018.

"The issue is that we, who are a legal body and who are lawmakers, are
now suggesting breaking the law and not supporting the RCMP," said
Sproule, who added "it just seems odd for a legal body to be promoting
something illegal."

Councillor Roger Kishi expressed a similar position saying he wanted
the village to be "pro-active" when pot becomes legal.

Sullivan said when council dealt with the policy a year ago, it was
considered a public health issue. He added that people who need this
medication should have access to it to improve their health.

"I don't believe for a second that the RCMP should be in charge of
anything related to public health," said Sullivan, who also supports
the Union of BC Municipalities, which endorsed the position that they
have the power to regulate pot dispensaries.

Sullivan agreed with one of the proponent's statement that charges
against dispensaries with business licences most often are dropped.

"I think it is better suited to our municipality to do what is best
for our citizens in regards to dispensaries," said Sullivan. "We are
not alone in this endeavour."

Sullivan pointed out Vancouver, Squamish, Victoria and Port Alberni
have already offered business permits for dispensaries.

"We as a council unanimously decided to be ahead of this issue rather
than behind it," said Sullivan. "The time for prohibition is ending
and we have to put our ducks in a row to deal with this."

Sullivan shares the concerns of the "naysayers" but not their
fears.

"Fear is not the answer," said Sullivan. "Transparency is the
answer."

Mayor Leslie Baird said she is torn with this issue after having heard
from people in the village.

"They're not opposing it but they want it to be legalized," said
Baird, who added that a dispensary will not solve the marijuana
problem in the village.

"I have been positive throughout this process and supporting it but at
this point I can't support it until it is legalized."

Baird said the village has bylaws that they expect the residents to
abide by.

"Now we're turning it around and going against the federal
government's laws and that really doesn't sit well with me," said Baird.

Sproule made a motion that council table the application process until
the federal and provincial governments come forward with legislation
to legalize marijuana and will consider these temporary use
applications at that time.

The motion was supported by Baird, Kishi and Sproule, with Kettler and
Sullivan opposing it.
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