Pubdate: Sun, 27 Sep 2015
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact: http://www2.canada.com/theprovince/letters.html
Website: http://www.theprovince.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Laura Kane
Page: 12

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WANT TO CONTROL POT SHOPS

Feds 'Not Doing Their Jobs,' Vancouver Councillor Says at Union of 
B.C. Municipalities Convention

Local governments in British Columbia have declared they have the 
authority to license medical marijuana dispensaries, defying the 
federal government's opposition to regulation of the illegal stores.

Delegates at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention voted in 
favour of a resolution endorsing the position that they have the 
power to regulate pot dispensaries.

The resolution states an ongoing court challenge of Ottawa's medical 
marijuana laws has created uncertainty while pot shops proliferate 
and cause problems in B.C.

Vancouver Coun. Heather Deal said the vote sends a strong message to 
the federal government, which has not provided reasonable legal 
access to medical marijuana despite court rulings requiring them to do so.

"We have to do it because they're not doing their job. They are 
continuing to be at odds with the federal courts," she said after the 
vote. "That leaves cities in the untenable position of not being able 
to deal with a product that is legal, yet opposed by the federal 
government. We have to use the controls and the tools that we have."

Vancouver recently became the first city in Canada to approve 
regulation of its 100 marijuana shops, imposing a $30,000 licence fee 
and requiring the shops to locate 300 metres from schools, community 
centres and each other. Victoria is considering similar rules.

Municipalities in B.C. already have the power to regulate land use 
through bylaws, but the resolution marks a symbolic strike against 
the federal government's handling of medical pot.

Corisa Bell, a Maple Ridge councillor and president of the Lower 
Mainland Local Government Association - which brought the resolution 
- - told the local politicians something had to be done to curb the 
explosion of illegal stores.

"This rapid growth of unregulated businesses poses a significant risk 
to our youth, public health, and has an impact on our local economy," she said.

"If, however, they are carefully managed and regulated, these 
businesses can play a role in improving the health conditions that 
affect numerous people."

Selling pot over the counter is illegal in Canada regardless of 
whether it's medical or recreational. Health Canada recently sent 
letters to 13 dispensaries warning of RCMP raids if they did not shut down.

Esquimalt Coun. Susan Low spoke against the resolution, saying it was 
the responsibility of the federal government and the courts to 
regulate medical marijuana, not that of local governments.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom