Pubdate: Wed, 29 Apr 2015
Source: Metro (Vancouver, CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Metro Canada
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/vancouver
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3775
Author: Emily Jackson
Page: 5

CITY'S OLDEST WEED DISPENSARY IS IN FAVOUR OF POT SHOP REGULATION

Non-profit vows to continue fighting for patient rights

The oldest medical marijuana dispensary in Vancouver supports the
city's move toward regulating pot shops even though it could lose its
home on Commercial Drive under the proposed rules.

The non-profit B. C. Compassion Club Society, which has operated
outside of the law since 1997, is across the street from a private
school and would be required to relocate under the rules that call for
a 300- metre buffer zone away from schools.

Yet the society's Jamie Shaw said at City Hall on Tuesday that the
club would be happy to jump through the new hoops in its ongoing fight
for patients' rights and legitimacy. "There's not too much
over-regulation, hopefully it will stay that way," Shaw said.

While the society sees flaws with the proposed rules - it really hopes
the city won't uproot it since it was there before the private school,
which moved to the neighbourhood in 2005 - they're a "fantastic first
step," said Shaw, who is also the president of the Canadian
Association of Medical Cannabis Dispensaries.

The society looks forward to the public hearing where it hopes the
city will exempt it from moving should it pass the regulations,
although city manager Penny Ballem indicated the city didn't want to
budge from the 300-metre distance from schools. Relocation would pose
challenges for patients in the neighbourhood that rely on the club.

The other issue for the non-profit is the proposed $ 30,000 licensing
fee. The steep price would force the compassion club to cut back on
staffing or services, Shaw said. But she added the more mainstream
dispensaries become, the less money the society will have to spend to
lobby for legalization.

Based on Coun. Kerry Jang's questions during Ballem's presentation to
council, Shaw is hopeful the city might consider different pricing for
non-profit and for-profit dispensaries.
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MAP posted-by: Matt