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. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom