Pubdate: Tue, 22 Dec 2015
Source: Nanaimo News Bulletin (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015, BC Newspaper Group
Contact:  http://www.nanaimobulletin.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/948
Author: Tamara Cunningham

CITY EXPLORES POT SHOP OPTIONS

Report Looks at Process to Regulate Medical Marijuana

Nanaimo city officials will explore options to regulate medical 
marijuana dispensaries as advocates call for standards.

It's an important and positive step in the right direction, says 
Matthew O'Donnell, Nanaimo Cannabis Coalition spokesman and 
operations manager for Phoenix Pain Management Society, of the recent decision.

"Realistically this is where the real work begins," he said. "The 
discussion is actually starting."

Nanaimo city council called on staff last week to report on licensing 
regulation options for medical marijuana dispensaries, and will also 
consider a joint letter with the City of Victoria, asking Prime 
Minister Justin Trudeau when the federal government will have 
guidelines for municipalities on dispensaries and legalization.

It's the first formal action on the regulation issue by council, but 
it isn't the first local government faced with the question of what 
to do about pot shops.

Port Alberni, for example, decided this year to move toward 
regulation, while Duncan has decided against approving business 
licences for medical marijuana dispensaries still considered illegal 
under federal law.

There seems to be forward movement on the subject, according to 
Nanaimo Mayor Bill McKay, who said he hopes the report will show what 
other communities are doing and summarize current regulatory 
framework to guide council.

"It's time to gather all of the pertinent information that we've been 
receiving and start putting it all together in one place," he said, 
adding this is very topical in the community right now and people are 
confused about the legality. "Hopefully this will provide some clarity."

The issue of medical marijuana storefronts and non-profits ramped up 
in November as the Nanaimo RCMP warned 11 dispensaries to shut down 
or face potential enforcement. Search warrants were executed and 
arrests made at three dispensaries, Dec. 1.

In an e-mail, a spokesman for the Department of Justice Canada said 
pressing charges is a matter for law enforcement officials, but 
dispensaries and other sellers of marijuana who are not licensed 
under the current law are still illegal. He also said it's too early 
to speculate on specifics of the government's plan to legalize marijuana.

"The approach to these unlicenced dispensaries is something that the 
government will consider as part of its approach to legalizing and 
regulating marijuana, but at this point, we cannot speculate further," he said.

O'Donnell told city council Dec. 14 the industry is "begging" for 
regulation and said there's a need for guidance and leadership from 
all three levels of government.

Council unanimously agreed to get a report. Coun. Jim Kipp said how 
we move forward as a community is important to a lot of people, and 
Coun. Wendy Pratt said legalization at the federal level isn't going 
to happen overnight, but there are real issues in this city around 
those who work in the industry and those who use the products.

"I really do believe it's something we need to get a handle on one 
way or another," she said.

A city report is expected to be released early January.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom