Pubdate: Tue, 03 Nov 2015
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Times Colonist
Contact: http://www2.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/letters.html
Website: http://www.timescolonist.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Bill Cleverley
Page: A3

VICTORIA URGED TO DELAY REGULATING POT SHOPS

Some Councillors Want Feedback First From Justin Trudeau's Newly 
Elected Federal Government on Legalization Plan

Victoria should hold off attempting to regulate marijuana shops until 
it sees what the federal government is going to do, say two Victoria 
councillors.

Councillors Marianne Alto and Chris Coleman are suggesting council 
write to Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau asking for 
"clarification on whether and when the federal government intends to 
implement legalization and regulation of cannabis," as outlined in 
its platform.

The two note that should the federal government create a 
federal/provincial/ territorial task force to design a new system of 
marijuana sales and distribution, as promised in campaign material, a 
representative from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities be 
included to reflect municipal concerns.

They also suggest council postpone consideration of any new 
regulatory regime until Feb. 19 or until the prime minister responds 
- - whichever comes first.

The federal Liberals promised to remove Criminal Code provisions 
against possession and consumption of marijuana and to instead 
institute a federal system for sales and distribution.

Coleman and Alto say it would be "imprudent" for Victoria to draft 
its own regulations until the city knows what the feds have planned.

"Until we understand what the federal landscape is going to be in 
guiding us, it makes sense to hold back," Coleman said.

"We were attempting to recognize the changing landscape and the 
battle between the Supreme Court and the former federal government. 
It looks as though that landscape has changed, but we don't fully 
understand all the details that would come with that," he added.

Faced with an explosion in marijuana-related businesses, Victoria 
council in May directed staff to develop new regulations for the 
shops, patterning their approach after Vancouver.

Vancouver has created a two-tiered licensing system that allows 
compassion clubs to pay a fee of $1,000, while for-profit pot shops 
must pay a $30,000 licence fee.

To qualify as a compassion club, it must be a registered nonprofit, 
serve members and provide a minimum level of other health services 
such as massage therapy or acupuncture, as well as be a member of the 
Canadian Association of Medical Cannabis Dispensaries.

Vancouver's new rules also require dispensaries to be located at 
least 300 metres from schools, community centres and each other.

Victoria staff had intended to report back to council this week, but 
in a brief report to council, city clerk Chris Coates said the report 
has been delayed and the hope is to have it completed in two weeks.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom