Pubdate: Sat, 26 Sep 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: Laura Kane
Page: S4

B.C. CITIES VOTE TO DEFY OTTAWA'S STAND ON POT SHOPS

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

Vancouver Councillor Heather Deal said the vote sends a strong message
to Ottawa, 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 no nearer than 300 metres from
schools, community centres and each other. Victoria is considering
similar rules.

Municipalities in B.C. 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 crowd of local politicians that something needed to be done
to curb the proliferation 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 threatening raids by the RCMP if they did
not shut down, though the Mounties have not yet acted on those threats.

Esquimalt Councillor Susan Low spoke against the resolution, saying
Ottawa and the courts should regulate medical marijuana, not local
governments.
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MAP posted-by: Matt