Pubdate: Wed, 24 Jun 2015
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Copyright: 2015 The Globe and Mail Company
Contact:  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168
Author: Geordon Omand
Page: S3

RIGHTS GROUP DECRIES PLAN TO BAN EDIBLES

Civil Liberties Association says it's aware of challenges in 
regulating dispensaries, but argues new restrictions could be 'problematic'

A B.C. civil rights group is asking the City of Vancouver to 
reconsider its plan to ban dispensaries from selling edible forms of 
medical marijuana.

The request comes as city council prepares to vote Wednesday on new 
zoning regulations for medical marijuana shops, even though the sale 
of pot in any form by dispensaries remains illegal under federal drug laws.

The B.C. Civil Liberties Association said it recognized the 
logistical challenges to regulation, but it argues an outright ban on 
items such as cookies and brownies would just transfer the problem to patients.

"This is not comparable to other kinds of medication," said Micheal 
Vonn, the organization's policy director.

"It's one thing to say, 'We as government aren't really sure what 
kind of formulations are the safest.' It is incredibly problematic to 
say to a patient: 'Here, go mix this up in your kitchen like some 
kind of alchemist.' "

Vancouver is poised to pass precedent-setting policies that would 
require dispensaries to pay a $30,000 licensing fee and stay a 
minimum distance from schools and other pot shops.

The proposed regulations would allow for the sale of products such as 
dried marijuana and cannabis oil, which the city says patients could 
use to make their own edibles.

On Monday night, Vancouver councillors wrapped up four days of public 
hearings on amendments to licensing, zoning and development bylaws.

More than 180 people were registered to speak.

The sale of over-the-counter marijuana is illegal, but the city said 
a proliferation of dispensaries over the past three years, from fewer 
than 20 to nearly 100, led to the need for regulation.

City manager Penny Ballem said earlier this month that staff wanted 
to ban the sale of items such as baked goods and candies because of 
the risk that they would appeal to children.

A news release from the city referenced evidence from U.S.based 
research that the availability of these products has led to increased 
cases of kids being poisoned.

But stringent packaging and labelling requirements, such as those 
introduced in Colorado, stand to mitigate that risk, Ms. Vonn said.

Last week's unanimous decision from the Supreme Court of Canada gave 
medical marijuana users the right to both possess and consume 
cannabis derivatives, including edibles and extracts.

"The case confirmed that Health Canada cannot force you to smoke your 
medication," Ms. Vonn said.

Health Minister Rona Ambrose said she was outraged after hearing 
about the decision, adding that marijuana has never faced a 
regulatory approval process through Health Canada.

Federal regulations had previously stipulated that authorized users 
of physician-prescribed cannabis could only consume dried marijuana.
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