Pubdate: Tue, 19 Jan 2016
Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact: http://www.torontosun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://torontosun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457
Author: Jenny Yuen
Page: 12

OH CANNABIS!

Councillor fears T.O. will become pot capital of the nation 'High'
risk you'll die of cardiac arrest

Councillor Jim Karygiannis fears Toronto will become the weed capital
of Canada.

Given that the number of medical marijuana dispensaries in the city
has grown to nearly 50, the Scarborough-Agincourt politician wants the
city to be included in the development of regulations needed to govern
legal pot.

He'll call on the city's municipal licensing and standards committee
Friday to demand a seat on the federal task force now hammering out a
proposed framework for the sale and regulation of marijuana.

While Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has made it clear his government
will legalize weed for recreational use, few details have been worked
out.

"I'd like to see a set of rules," Karygiannis said Monday. "We even
regulated the vapour lounges. Capping the numbers is something to be
looked upon. I think three or four in my ward would be adequate - not
50."

Karygiannis put forward a motion that demands "Toronto's interests are
addressed," including looking at appropriate locations for
dispensaries.

He wants to ensure weed is not sold close to schools or daycare
centres.

"We need to do a study and make sure our folks are at the table," he
said. "We don't need Amsterdam-style coffee shops or recreational
marijuana shops popping up in our neighbourhoods."

Dispensaries as it stands are illegal, according to Toronto Police and
Health Canada.

Councillor Joe Cressy, who heads the Toronto Drug Strategy, said he is
waiting on a report from the chief medical officer of health on how
the city should deal with marijuana dispensaries.
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MAP posted-by: Matt