Pubdate: Wed, 16 Dec 2015 Source: Nanaimo Daily News (CN BC) Copyright: 2015 Black Press, Inc. Contact: http://www.nanaimodailynews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1608 Author: Darrell Bellaart NANAIMO COUNCIL TO LOOK AT CITY REGULATIONS FOR POT DISPENSARIES Nanaimo May Write Its Own Regulations for How Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Operate. Nanaimo city council passed a motion this week asking city staff to investigate steps other cities have taken to regulate pot storefronts. The motion followed presentations from representatives of several dispensaries. Three of 10 pot storefronts were recently raided by Nanaimo RCMP, and some appeared before council asking the city to regulate the fledgling industry. The raids followed a warning from Health Canada earlier this year to dispensaries, that they are not operating within the law. That was before the Liberals were elected on a pro-legalization platform. In Vancouver and Victoria, dispensaries must comply with a myriad of municipal rules, including minimum distances from schools and banning the sale of cannabis chocolates that children might mistaken for candy. Nanaimo city council is now ready to consider regulation. "Council is going to look to see what kind of regulatory framework there might be - what approaches are being considered in other cities like Vancouver and Victoria - what regulatory tools they have," said Mayor Bill McKay. Coun. Jerry Hong was ready to explore that option in September after he attended sessions on the subject at the Union of B.C. Municipalities annual conference. Dispensary operators are pleased. "It's good news, because we need to start having that conversation here in Nanaimo," said Matt O'Donnell, of Phoenix Pain Management. He was among the delegates who presented to council on the subject. "What it means for clients or patients, we're more of a step toward legitimacy. "We've said from the get-go we want to be legitimate." McKay also signed a joint letter with the mayors of Vancouver and Victoria asking Ottawa for direction. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom