Pubdate: Sat, 29 Aug 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: James Keller
Page: A11

VANCOUVER GETS 200 POT LICENCE APPLICATIONS

The city of Vancouver has received nearly 200 applications from 
illegal medical marijuana dispensaries seeking business licences, 
setting off a process that is expected to dramatically reduce the 
number of such operations while making Vancouver the first 
jurisdiction in Canada to regulate storefront pot sales.

Citing the proliferation of illegal pot shops, city council approved 
new rules earlier this year that will award business licences in 
exchange for hefty fees, as well as place restrictions on where 
dispensaries can be located and what they can sell. There are 
currently more than 100 shops openly selling the drug in all corners 
of the city, even as pot sales remain illegal outside of the licensed 
federal medical marijuana regime.

By last Friday's deadline, the city received 176 applications, though 
only a fraction of those are expected to actually survive the 
licensing process.

"It's a three-tier process and I don't think a lot of them will get 
through every step," said councillor Kerry Jang, who has overseen the 
marijuana file for the governing Vision Vancouver party.

Under the new rules, retail dispensaries must pay $30,000 for a 
business licence. Non-profit compassion clubs that also offer other 
medical services will only be charged $1,000. Of the applications 
received by last week's deadline, 69 are applying under the 
compassion club rules.

Successful applicants must be located at least 300 metres away from 
schools, community centres and other dispensaries. Applications will 
also be subjected to community consultations, and operations that 
have previously been the subject of complaints to the city or have 
been targeted by the police will likely be rejected.

"People have been focusing a lot on the distancing requirement, but a 
big part of the licence is the actual track record of the owners - 
that's more of a consideration," said Mr. Jang.

The city has not set a target for just how many dispensaries and 
compassion clubs will receive licences.

The approval process is expected to take at least six months.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom