Pubdate: Fri, 13 Nov 2015 Source: Coast Reporter (CN BC) Copyright: 2015 Coast Reporter Contact: http://www.coastreporter.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/580 Author: Christine Wood Medicinal Marijuana PUBLIC ASKED TO RALLY FOR POT DISPENSARY Owners of S&M Medicinal Sweet Shoppe, Michelle and Doug Sikora, want the District of Sechelt to license, regulate and limit the number of medicinal marijuana dispensaries allowed within its jurisdiction, and they took their plea to the public last week. The Sikoras held a public meeting on Nov. 8 at the Davis Bay Community Hall where the couple said Sechelt needed to get ready for the onslaught of dispensaries that will be looking to set up on the Coast once legalization comes in under the new federal government. "There are already rumours of franchises from Vancouver moving up here," Doug said. "So all of a sudden we might have six pop-up dispensaries that are franchised from Vancouver and then what is the District going to do about that when there are six of them?" The Sikoras said they've been trying to get a business licence through the District to start a dispensary in Sechelt since January, but have been denied and told that "retail distribution of marijuana products is not a lawful business." They hope the election of the Trudeau government and enough support from the public will change council's mind. To that end the Sikoras invited the 20 or so in attendance at the public meeting to stand alongside them when they appear as a delegation before council on Nov. 18. The couple will be asking council once again for a business licence and urging them to regulate dispensaries in Sechelt. "We're hoping we can have a really good turnout so we can let the District know that we have a lot of people in the community who need this and who support us," Michelle said. Most audience members said they'd show up, some claiming medicinal marijuana had helped them heal from various illnesses or even cured them of cancer. "That's why we're doing this. Our priority and our concern is for the people who need it for medicinal reasons," Michelle said. In addition to hearing the Sikoras speak about licensing and regulating dispensaries, Sechelt council will also consider adoption of a medical marijuana production zoning bylaw at its regular council meeting Nov. 18. That bylaw deals with cultivation and production, as well as research of medicinal marijuana under the Marijuana for Medical Purposes Regulations. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom