Pubdate: Wed, 08 Jul 2015
Source: Peace Arch News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Peace Arch News
Contact:  http://www.peacearchnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1333
Author: Melissa Smalley

Medical-marijuana advocate speaks to White Rock council

POT DISPENSARY PILOT-PROJECT URGED

A medical-marijuana advocate has urged White Rock to launch a
pilot-dispensary project within the city to help create the framework
and governance model for the potential business.

Randy Caine, owner of Hempyz on Marine Drive, told White Rock council
last month that a medical-marijuana dispensary is "going to arrive in
our community," and that the city would be wise to get ahead of the
issue.

"A pilot project allows us to develop a framework, or best-practices
manual, in order to bring in a community-based dispensary," Caine said
June 15, pointing to issues faced by Vancouver, where officials are
scrambling to regulate the nearly 100 dispensaries that have cropped
up.

"What I'm seeing going on in Vancouver is not something that we want
to see in our community."

Caine described a pilot dispensary as a "wonderful opportunity" for
White Rock to approach the issue with full control and involvement
from all stakeholders.

"I do believe it's important that medical marijuana is brought into
our community," Caine said. "It's equally, maybe even more important,
in terms of protocols to be established for any business that would
like to come into our community, whether it's medical marijuana or a
grocery store.

"We need to have that governance so that it's fair on both
sides."

Council voted unanimously to direct staff to prepare a report on a
possible pilot project.
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MAP posted-by: Matt