Pubdate: Thu, 25 Jun 2015 Source: Toronto Star (CN ON) Copyright: 2015 The Toronto Star Contact: http://www.thestar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456 Author: Laura Kane Page: A14 VANCOUVER TO REGULATE MARIJUANA VENDORS Vancouver has become the first city in Canada to regulate marijuana dispensaries, a move that has "deeply disappointed" the federal government but was declared a commonsense approach by the mayor. "We're faced with a tough situation, a complicated situation," Gregor Robertson said Wednesday after councillors voted 8-3 to impose new regulations. "We have this proliferation of dispensaries that must be dealt with." The city blames Ottawa's restrictive medical pot laws for the rise of pot dispensaries - from fewer than 20 just three years ago to 94 today. On Wednesday Health Minister Rona Ambrose said she was disappointed with the decision to regulate an illegal industry. "Marijuana is neither an approved drug nor medicine in Canada and Health Canada does not endorse its use," Ambrose said in a statement. "Storefronts selling marijuana are illegal . . . we expect the police to enforce the law." Coun. Geoff Meggs said medical marijuana was not an issue that the city wanted to take up, but one it was forced to handle because of Ottawa's "backwards" policies. "Wake up," Meggs said in a message aimed at the federal government. "You are completely out of touch with the realities on the ground." Vancouver Police Const. Brian Montague said the new regulations will not change the force's approach to marijuana shops, which are only made a priority if there are public safety concerns. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom