Pubdate: Thu, 15 Jun 2017
Source: Kimberley Daily Bulletin (CN BC)
Copyright: 2017, Kimberley Daily Bulletin
Contact:  http://www.dailybulletin.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1427
Author: Carolyn Grant

CITY OF KIMBERLEY SAYS NO TO MORE DISPENSARIES

Kimberley City Council will not be granting any more business licenses
for medical marijuana licenses, at least not any time soon.

That was the decision Council came to this past Monday evening at
their regular meeting, after a staff report was received.

Prior to that, the proponent, who had recently had her re-application
denied, requested an opportunity to have her legal counsel speak
again, but Council denied that request in a five to two vote. (Coun.
Oakley and Kitto against).

Council then voted six to one (Oakley against) to follow the
recommendation in the staff report, which is,

"That Council cease issuing business licenses to cannabis dispensaries
until the federal Cannabis Act is enacted in July of 2018."

This will have the affect of denying the recent proponent a business
license.

"The Community Charter directs Council to reconsider if a request
comes in from a proponent, for any type of business license," said
Mayor Don McCormick. "We will continue to do that on a case by case
basis, but the message is, we won't be granting any more licenses for
medical marijuana dispensaries."

McCormick says that when the first two licenses were granted, the
thought was to grant access to those within the community looking for
relief for certain medical conditions.

"Those in the community are getting what they need. It was never our
intent to end up being a distribution centre for far and wide."

And aside from all that, McCormick says, the fact that federal
legislation is looming next summer, has changed everything since the
first business licenses were granted.

"The draft legislation is so vague that we feel it's prudent to wait
on the feds for specific legislation. Then, as a municipality we can
look at regulatory measures."

Some of the concerns Council had with issuing another license, were
that another dispensary meant more visibility, which could create
issues with the RCMP; concern that there would be too many
dispensaries in one area; and also concern that another approval would
lead to more requests.

McCormick says that he is well aware that the current proponent had
been granted a license before and was asked to reapply when her
location and company name changed.

"We don't transfer business licenses," he said. "It was a new company,
a new location. It is within Council's purview to grant business
licenses and to revoke them as well."

And until the federal legislation, there will be no new licenses
granted.

"I'm hoping this will be the last of it," McCormick said. "At least
until the legislation is tabled."

Wesley Rogers, attorney for the proponent issued the following
statement on behalf of his client.

"Our client is disappointed that Council changed course after
significant time, energy, and money has been invested in this business
based on the previous approval given by Council in November, 2016.
Releaf simply wanted to fill a need in the market for quality medical
marijuana. When it incorporated and, at Council's suggestion, changed
location, Council then denied our client that opportunity, despite
that the same opportunity has been granted to the other two
dispensaries. Our client thinks that the City should treat all
citizens equally and fairly, and not prefer some business over others.
Releaf is currently considering whether it will appeal Council's
decision to the courts."
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MAP posted-by: Matt