Pubdate: Tue, 24 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
Page: A8

FEDS SHOULD ACT ON MARIJUANA

The City of Victoria shouldn't be regulating marijuana dispensaries, 
but it doesn't have much choice. Given lack of federal action and 
regulations, the city must do what it can to bring some order to the 
wild-west marijuana trade. The city is seeking public input on its 
proposed regulations for licensing marijuana dispensaries, a 
necessary step to keep pot shops from popping up on every corner. 
That's not much of an exaggeration - about 18 months ago, only four 
marijuana-related businesses were in operation in the city. There are 
now 23 and probably more on the way.

As marijuana is a controlled substance under federal legislation, the 
city has no authority to ban or approve the sale of the drug. The 
proposed regulations cover issues such as air filtration, security, 
advertising and age restrictions. They are designed to address health 
and safety concerns, potential neighbourhood impacts and security concerns.

Federal law still prohibits the sale of recreational marijuana, but 
the law is openly flouted and police generally ignore infractions.

Medical marijuana is legal under Health Canada rules, but those rules 
are so liberally interpreted, they have become a joke. The law allows 
people with certain health conditions to use marijuana products, 
obtained with a physician's prescription by mail from licensed 
growers. Medical marijuana dispensaries do not operate under 
authorization of Health Canada, the federal government or any other 
jurisdiction. But little effort is made to enforce regulations.

It's a ridiculous situation. Alcohol is a perfectly legal substance, 
but imagine liquor stores appearing on the urban landscape 
willy-nilly, without business licences or approval from any level of 
government. You can be sure enforcement would be swift and firm.

In its business bylaws, Victoria does not have a category for retail 
marijuana outlets, hence the plan to bring in new regulations. 
Because the city cannot authorize the sale of marijuana, it will have 
to turn a blind eye to what is sold in the shops.

But at least it can regulate certain aspects of the business, such as 
where a shop can operate. It can set age limits for customers and 
insist on safety and security.

Calling a marijuana outlet a dispensary is a mockery. Medical 
dispensaries in B.C., and elsewhere, are strictly regulated. Rules 
cover such things as the purity of the drugs and the strength of 
doses. A person dispensing drugs must be trained at an approved 
university and licensed by the B.C. College of Pharmacists. These are 
medical professionals who work with doctors. They can advise patients 
as to the effects and potential harm of drugs, and give instructions 
on how, when and for how long the drugs must be taken. If they depart 
from the rules, they can lose their licences.

No such rules apply to the marijuana trade. They should.

There's strong evidence that marijuana contains substances that can 
relieve pain and other suffering. Attempts in the past to portray 
marijuana as a dangerous drug that would turn people into raving 
psychotics are laughable in the light of today's knowledge.

Nevertheless, there is still strong evidence that marijuana can do 
harm. It's an area that cries out for more research, to accurately 
define the good and bad of the drug.

If marijuana is legalized, wrote medical health officers Richard 
Stanwick and Patricia Daly in this newspaper on Nov. 12, "we advocate 
for the early application of a public health approach to policies and 
regulations, based on minimizing harm and promoting health."

It's the responsibility of the federal government to decriminalize 
marijuana, but in close tandem with that, develop regulations similar 
to those for alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

Municipalities should not be left holding the bag.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom