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.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom