Pubdate: Wed, 09 Sep 2015
Source: StarPhoenix, The (CN SN)
Copyright: 2015 The StarPhoenix
Contact: http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/400
Author: Jonathan Charlton
Page: A3

CITY STAFF TO SORT THROUGH CONFLICTING CANNABIS INFO

Coun. Darren Hill says he has learned more than he ever knew existed
about Canada's medical marijuana laws.

"Not only the dispensary component, but what it does for particular
heath issues and its implications within the community, it's quite an
eye-opener, actually," he said on Tuesday.

Hill is the chair of the planning and development committee, which
heard from CanniMed president Brent Zettl. CanniMed is the province's
only licensed medical cannabis producer.

Zettl took issue with what he said were inaccuracies in an earlier
presentation to council from Mark Hauk, founder of the Saskatchewan
Compassion Club.

Hauk - who, through the Saskatchewan Compassion Club, dispenses
marijuana and also provides support - has previously claimed he's
dealt with many patients who have been unable to acquire the type of
marijuana they want due to shortage of supply or lack of
affordability. He told council his setup helps "fill the gaps of a
dysfunctional federal program."

Zettl told the city's planning and development committee his users
typically only wait 48 hours for a delivery. He said "several
thousand" kilograms of cannabis are in production today at prices that
are typically at or below street price.

"Those are old arguments about not having access to medical cannabis,"
Zettl said.

City council has asked the administration to report back on potential
regulations to control how and where dispensaries can operate in the
city. The report is expected in October. Hill said he trusts the city
administration to get accurate information.

At the end of the day, the city will provide the Compassion Club with
a business license, but it will be Hauk's responsibility to ensure
he's operating legally, Hill said.

The license will likely include restrictions, such as not being near a
school, but won't be as rigid as the adult services bylaw, Hill said.

He intends to discuss the issue with Vancouver councillors at upcoming
Federation of Canadian Municipality meetings.

In June, Vancouver became the first city in Canada to regulate
marijuana dispensaries. Operators there have to qualify under tight
criteria, including criminal record checks and limits on where their
shops can be located.

If Hauk's dispensary is going to label its product as medical, it
should follow federal law for medical marijuana, Zettl said.

"It should follow the same checks and balances we have to
follow."

- - with Morgan Modjeski and Vancouver Sun files
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt