Pubdate: Thu, 01 Oct 2015
Source: Winnipeg Sun (CN MB)
Copyright: 2015 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact: http://www.winnipegsun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://www.winnipegsun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/503
Author: Joyanne Pursaga
Page: 5

REGULATE IT

Councillors Want Medical-Pot Rules in Place Locally Before National 
Legalization

Two Winnipeg city councillors want to explore how the city could 
regulate marijuana-related businesses.

Coun. Ross Eadie (Mynarski)'s motion calls on city staff to report on 
possible rules and restrictions for medical marijuana dispensaries, 
head shops and others selling pot-related products before the drug is 
potentially legalized under federal law.

If elected, the federal Liberals vowed Wednesday to begin legalizing 
marijuana "right away."

"Society is changing. It's very clear. So let's get on top of this," 
said Eadie. "The majority of the people in this country believe that 
cannabis is harmless."

Eadie noted he's open to the idea of medical marijuana dispensaries 
in Winnipeg. He said restrictions, similar to those the city has for 
body rub parlours and bath houses, could help control the impact of 
such stores.

Limits could include not allowing the businesses to be located near 
schools and other youth-oriented areas, said Matt Allard (St. 
Boniface), who seconded the motion.

"We have some of these facilities sporadically popping up across the 
city and right now the city doesn't have, to my knowledge, any 
regulatory framework in how to deal with these shops," said Allard. 
"Conceivably, one could open up right in front of a pool, a splash 
pad or a community centre."

Vancouver city bylaws already allow medical marijuana dispensaries to 
operate legally without Health Canada clearance.

Glenn Price, owner of Your Medical Cannabis Headquarters, said the 
motion offers hope that he could once again fill medicinal pot 
prescriptions at his Main Street store, which also lacks Health 
Canada approval.

"At least the city is moving forward with this and looking at options 
in other cities that are doing this," said Price. "It's about time 
Winnipeg got on board."

Police shut down Price's dispensary Aug. 4 and charged him with 
trafficking, drug possession and related offences. Price re-opened 
the business Aug. 11 as a lounge where medicinal pot users can 
medicate, which police say is legal.

Mayor Brian Bowman declined to weigh in on the issue, noting it's not 
his top priority.

"I'm focused on addressing the priorities of Winnipeggers and that 
really boils down to openness and transparency at City Hall, on 
fixing our roads," said Bowman.

Medical marijuana user and advocate Steven Stairs said the city must 
consult with patients using the drug while crafting any new 
restrictions and avoid portraying patients and dispensers in a negative light.

"We are against the idea of criminal elements selling marijuana," 
said Stairs. "We don't want to be labelled as nefarious elements of society."

Eadie's motion was automatically referred to the city's October 
property and development committee meeting.

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[sidebar]

In Other Cities

Vancouver - Became the first city in Canada to regulate illegal 
marijuana dispensaries in June, a move declared a common-sense 
approach by the mayor.

Victoria - Working on a Vancouver model; has cannabis clubs 
(non-profit dispensaries) that date back to the mid-'90s, those such 
arrangements aren't condoned by the federal government. In September, 
Health Canada sent cease-and-desist orders to many of these clubs 
(and some in Vancouver).

Toronto - Several dispensaries operate without regulation.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom