Pubdate: Thu, 26 Nov 2015
Source: Chief, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Whistler Printing & Publishing
Website: http://www.squamishchief.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2414
Author: Jennifer Thuncher

DRAFT MARIJUANA DISPENSARY BYLAW IN THE AIR

Squamish currently has no restrictions on dispensaries

Squamish may soon have a marijuana dispensary policy.

District staff is currently working on devising a policy after
Councillor Susan Chapelle put forward a motion at council last week
that staff look at marijuana dispensary business licensing. The motion
called for adequate fees and zoning including setbacks from
inappropriate locations.

"We have no bylaws that restrict dispensaries. For the safety of the
public, we need to restrict areas close to schools and public
buildings," Chapelle told The Squamish Chief.

"We need to be proactive instead of when we have a dispensary moving
in to somewhere inappropriate with access to schools."

Chapelle said she worked with 99 North Medical Cannabis Dispensary
owner Bryan Raiser, a former councillor, to adapt the Vancouver
medical marijuana bylaw for a draft Squamish bylaw. District staff is
assisting.

"Nobody knows what will happen with the new [federal] government,"
said Chapelle. "Right now permit fees in Vancouver are $30,000 a year."

District staff will have to do some work to create a Squamish policy,
she said.

Raiser said he assumes most municipalities are working to find ways to
deal with the possibility of more medical-marijuana storefront
dispensaries in the wake of the election. He is optimistic the new
federal government will clarify where medical marijuana dispensaries
stand.

"Right now, everything is up in the air," he said. "Our federal
government has decided, rightfully in my opinion, to stop wasting
billions of tax dollars destroying families and careers=C2=85 but for wha
t
it is going to look like, nobody knows."

The Liberal platform during the election campaign promised to
legalize, regulate and restrict access to marijuana.

Jamie Shaw, spokesperson for the BC Compassion Club and president of
the Canadian Association of Medical Cannabis, said both organizations
recommend municipalities put a policy in place as soon as possible.

"The number of dispensaries in Canada has been growing rapidly since
2013 and=C2=85 cities that move to regulate early are better equipped to
handle the issue than ones who wait," she said. "We also believe that
cities who examine the issue now will be better informed, giving them
a stronger voice in discussions with provincial and federal
regulators."

Raiser said in deciding what the final Squamish policy will look like
the issue of whether or not to allow edibles will have to be debated.

"Both Vancouver and Victoria have said no edibles, except for oils and
tinctures and such=C2=85 I am not so sure that is good for everybody, but

it will be part of the discussion," he said.

In terms of distance from schools, he said if it makes people more
comfortable to have that as a condition, that is fine, but he has
never understood the concern around it.

He said "of course" medical marijuana dispensaries are not selling to
children, and "because it is near a school doesn't mean it is easier
for them to buy."

Raiser said the potential Squamish restrictions on marijuana
dispensaries should be like those put on other businesses, and
licensing fees should be in the $5,000 range, not Vancouver's $30,000
fee, which he called akin to "extortion."

"Like any bylaw, make sure that community is put first and foremost
and that it is fair and that community is consulted," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Matt