Pubdate: Tue, 11 May 2010 Source: Maple Ridge Times (CN BC) Copyright: 2010 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc Contact: http://www.mrtimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1372 Author: Amy Steele Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?216 (CN Police) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmjcn.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal - Canada) COPS WANT FED APPROVAL BEFORE BUSTING MEDICINAL POT SHOP Police won't move in and charge anyone involved with the new medicinal marijuana dispensary operating in Maple Ridge unless they get approval from the federal Department of Justice to do so. That's what Ridge Meadows RCMP Supt. Dave Walsh told Maple Ridge council at a meeting on Monday. "If we were going to consider any enforcement action in regards to this it would be at the direction of both Health Canada as well as the Department of Justice so I guess from our perspective we're still in the information gathering and consultative stage," he said. "The decision would be the Department of Justice's as to whether, given these set of circumstances, they would be willing to prosecute." Inspector Derren Lench told council there are three medicinal marijuana dispensaries in Vancouver, two in Victoria and one in Kelowna. Health Canada grants permission for people with certain medical conditions to use medicinal marijuana and gives some people who use it medicinally the right to grow it or to designate someone to grow it for them. People can also buy marijuana from a federal government supplier. However, Lench and Walsh pointed out dispensaries aren't legally allowed to do so. "They have modelled it after Vancouver and Victoria (dispensaries) so that's another piece we're looking at, too. Are they turning a blind eye there?" said Lench. However, he said even if those municipalities are "turning a blind eye" that doesn't necessarily mean local RCMP would do so. Walsh said police also have to determine if the dispensary, operated by the non-profit Always Growing Green Society (TAGGS), is doing what they claim to be doing. Society members told The TIMES only people with federal permission to use medicinal marijuana or people with doctor's letters could buy pot there. "Are they what they say they are? Are they selling to kids or selling to people who don't have medicinal licences?" said Walsh. Meanwhile, Maple Ridge council members expressed frustration with the federal government for creating the situation leading to non-profit medicinal marijuana dispensaries opening up. Councillor Al Hogarth said "the Department of Justice and our friends of Ottawa have created a huge black hole in legislation that I think they should be made aware of." Hogarth said he agrees there is "legitimate use" of medicinal marijuana but "we obviously have a problem with the way Ottawa has brought about this piece of legislation." Hogarth wants Health Canada to take some responsibility, including paying the district compensation for any legal costs it has to incur dealing with the dispensary. "I would suggest you go as far as to say we want compensation for what you have put us into," he said. "I don't have a problem being compassionate, being whatever you want, but it gets to the point of being ridiculous. Maybe we should just legalize the stuff and get on with it." Coun. Judy Dueck said council isn't "just sitting here just accepting that" but is making sure to follow a proper legal route in dealing with it. "If it's not legal what are they doing here?" she said. Coun. Craig Speirs argued the current regulatory regime creates problems for legal medicinal marijuana users to access it. "This is a difficult thing especially for those who use medicinal marijuana for health issues. You get a licence to possess and own and grow but you can't get a licence to sell that it to people with licences so that makes it very difficult for those who don't have a green thumb," he said. Speirs said the federal government should allow people to grow for more than two medicinal marijuana licence holders to create "economy of scale", which would make it more affordable for users who are sick and often don't have a lot of money. He said he'd also like to see medicinal marijuana grown in industrial or agricultural areas and not in residential areas. Speirs also questioned whether the RCMP would "lump in" the medicinal marijuana dispensary non-profit with criminal gangs growing marijuana. "Do you put the resources the RCMP enjoys and would employ against a gang...does that also apply to this compassionate network?" he said. Coun. Cheryl Ashlie asked if the district should ask Health Canada to go after people with medicinal marijuana licences who are using the dispensary, which isn't legally allowed to sell medicinal marijuana "I guess I'm questioning why we're not punting it back to Health Canada to keep their licences under control?" she said, adding people with permission to use medicinal marijuana must have to agree to specific terms and conditions. Ashlie said the dispensary is breaking the law and she told police to "do whatever you have to do to go after (the dispensary)." "The law's the law no matter how sick you are or who you are," she said. Coun. Mike Morden is fearful the dispensary will pose a "safety hazard" for the Haney neighbourhood and predicts there could be armed robberies. "Something is going to happen on that premises that will cause the RCMP to attend and they will be forced to deal with it. We need to be in a position as a community to address the safety of our citizens upfront and ahead of time," said Morden. However, Speirs pointed out there are currently armed robberies of pharmacies selling legal drugs. Brock McDonald, director of business licencing, permits and bylaws, told council because the dispensary is operated by a non-profit it's not required to have a business licence. Morden said he wants that to change so council has the ability to regulate non-profit activities. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom