Pubdate: Sat, 13 Sep 2014
Source: Sudbury Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2014 Osprey Media
Contact: http://www.thesudburystar.com/letters
Website: http://www.thesudburystar.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/608
Page: A10

UNTIL POT LAW CHANGES, ENFORCEMENT IS KEY

The stoners are getting creative and we're not so sure that's a good 
thing. The marijuana industry is attracting a lot of attention these days.

Back in March the Financial Post ran an article headlined Your 5- 
step primer to investing in pot. Former Ontario health minister 
George Smitherman, among others, is developing a business to be a 
licensed medical marijuana producer. In other words, it's big business.

But the industry also is pushing the boundaries and expanding in 
questionable ways. In April there were reports of one restaurant 
serving up pot pizza. The crusts contain whole wheat hemp hearts and 
the pies can be covered with pot-infused oil.

The rules are this product is available to anyone with a prescription 
for medical marijuana; minors aren't allowed in.

Last week, the B. C. Pain Society started selling pot gift cards to 
accompany their marijuana vending machines unveiled in May. Anybody 
can buy these gift cards to be used in the machines. However, to 
redeem the cards, a person must show their medical marijuana licence 
before approaching the machines.

The Vancouver Police department's position is many similar 
dispensaries are illegal, but they don't raid the so long as they 
only sell to licensed users.

These stories grab the headlines, but let's not forget the basic 
facts. The legal situation hasn't changed. Outside of medicinal 
purposes, cannabis is an illegal substance.

Some businesses are managing to operate in a grey area. There's 
clearly a market for these. But innovations that make it easier to 
access the product also increase the chance of marijuana falling into 
the hands of children.

A legal change seems inevitable. After all, a poll released as part 
of a QMI Agency feature in Dec. 2012 found 57% of Canadians support 
legalization of marijuana. Clearly some form of legislative action is 
on the horizon. But before any such changes occur - and even more so 
after they do - businesses must follow the rules. And police need to 
enforce the law.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom