Pubdate: Mon, 10 Jan 2011 Source: Vancouver 24hours (CN BC) Copyright: 2011 Canoe Inc Contact: http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3837 Author: Laura Baziuk Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmjcn.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal - Canada) Bookmark: http://mapinc.org/topic/Dispensaries DOPE DISPENSARY IN CITY'S SOUTH A new medical marijuana dispensary in South Vancouver is the city's first to offer an in-house doctor who can recommend the drug for those in need. The Imedikate dispensary, at 6128 Fraser St., officially opened Sunday, and offers marijuana from licensed growers to those with illnesses, such as HIV/AIDS, cancer and multiple sclerosis. "So many patients I meet tell me that even with a horrific or life-threatening condition they are unable to find a supportive doctor," said dispensary director Jacob Hunter. If that's the case, Imedikate's in-house physician can recommend for them, as long as they have medical proof of a qualifying illness. "We just realize how much need there is out there," he said. "There needs to be dispensaries where there are people. It's not appropriate for someone from Chilliwack to have to drive into Vancouver." Neighbours have also expressed plenty of support for the dispensary. "It's almost every day we have someone coming in thanking us for opening," Hunter said. "I think that it's just part of the cultural zeitgeist here. I think people recognize that medication is medication." It is the sixth dispensary to open in Vancouver proper. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom