Pubdate: Wed, 15 Jun 2011
Source: North Shore News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2011 North Shore News
Contact:  http://www.nsnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/311

Author: Benjamin Alldritt

MEDICAL POT SHOP FAILS TO OPEN

RCMP, Bylaw Officers Warn Of Consequences

The opening of a medical marijuana dispensary in Deep Cove was 
blocked Saturday morning by RCMP officers and District of North 
Vancouver officials.

Re-Leaf Dispensary Society planned to open its doors in a business 
space on the corner of Deep Cove Road and Mount Seymour Parkway, but 
the society's management changed their minds after visits from the 
police and district staff.

"Our uniformed officers went to the location in Deep Cove and advised 
them of the legal consequences if they attempted to open up a 
dispensary to sell marijuana," said Cpl. Richard DeJong, spokesman 
for the North Vancouver RCMP detachment.

"Health Canada does not license organizations to possess, produce or 
distribute marijuana for medical purposes. So they would have been 
breaking the law and would have been arrested under the (Controlled 
Drugs and Substances) Act for trafficking," he said.

DeJong said that while no legal search took place, the officers were 
satisfied that there was no marijuana on the premises.

David Stuart, the district's chief administrative officer, arrived 
with bylaw officers waiting in the wings. Stuart said the dispensary 
society had not obtained a business licence, did not get their 
interior renovations reviewed by a building inspector, and may also 
be violating the zoning of their building.

"With respect to issues such as zoning and business licence, if we 
were unable to resolve these and they opened, we would likely apply 
to the courts for an injunction and the courts would rule as to which 
party is correct," Stuart said. "With respect to the building issue, 
our paramount concern is public safety. We can't have the public 
entering a building -- and that's their intention -- where work has 
been done that does not conform to the law. If they open today, the 
building inspector will close it and issue a sign saying the building 
is not to be occupied until the appropriate dialogue occurs."

Although the dispensary doors remained locked, a small crowd of local 
residents, district councillors and marijuana activists gathered out 
front and began a spirited debate on the issue of medical marijuana 
and the merits of Re-Leaf.

"The community has really come out and opposed this location, in this 
neighbourhood for sure. It's been an unfortunate lack of process," 
Coun. Lisa Muri said. "I have nothing against the use of medical 
marijuana. Certainly Health Canada does regularize it with licensing 
and for many people with devastating illnesses or chronic pain, it's 
a useful drug. I think one of the issues that's come up through this 
whole thing is when will Health Canada, when will the federal 
government make a decision about how it's dispensed?"

According to the RCMP, medical marijuana can be legally obtained 
three ways. Patients can purchase it directly from Health Canada, can 
obtain a licence to grow their own, or can use their licence to 
designate another person to grow on their behalf. However, medical 
marijuana dispensaries do operate illegally in other parts of the 
Lower Mainland.

"This medical marijuana dispensary shouldn't be allowed to open in 
the dead of night," said East Seymour resident Wayne Hunter. "It 
should involve the community in a transparent way. It's all about 
land use. It's got nothing to do with whether or not we want 
marijuana in the community -- it's already here. But the location may 
not be right."

Deep Cove resident Mike Paul disagreed. "I've seen it at the B.C. 
Compassion Club. It's right across the street from a park, it's in a 
neighbourhood and there are no problems. Nobody smokes around there 
- -- that's part of the rules. You have to have respect for the 
neighbourhood. If they don't, by all means shut it down."

The district held a public hearing Tuesday night to debate a bylaw 
that would specifically prohibit marijuana dispensaries in North Vancouver.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart