Pubdate: Fri, 11 Mar 2016
Source: Goldstream Gazette (Victoria, CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 Black Press
Contact:  http://www.vicnews.com/eeditions/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1291
Author: Arnold Lim

NIPPING IT IN THE BUD

Proposed Colwood Bylaw Prevents Marijuana Sales

A potential City of Colwood bylaw could snuff out marijuana sales 
before they start.

In the face of potential federal changes legalizing recreational 
marijuana sales, the proposed bylaw, would prohibit the sale of 
marijuana unless licensed by Health Canada's marijuana for medical 
purposes regulation or conducted by a licensed pharmacy.

"With all of the discussion about storefront marijuana dispensaries 
in Victoria, Colwood residents wanted to know how their city was 
going to handle the issue," said Colwood Coun. Gordie Logan.

"The federal government has made their intentions clear, they plan on 
legalizing marijuana, however it isn't legal yet. Council didn't want 
to put staff and the RCMP in a difficult position, so it was 
important to make sure that the land-use regulations were consistent 
with current legislation."

Colwood council had directed City staff to draft regulations 
pertaining to the law in response to questions from the community 
about the potential permissibility of storefront marijuana sales in Colwood.

A public hearing into the bylaw is scheduled for March 22 and the 
City's new chief administrative officer, Ian Howat, is encouraging 
residents to be engaged.

"These changes would harmonize Colwood's land-use regulations with 
current federal laws on the subject and provide certainty in advance 
of any changes the federal government chooses to make with respect to 
the Criminal Code," said Howat. "Council would like, generally, to 
see greater input from the public in forming public policy."

Howat said he doesn't consider this particular bylaw any more or less 
significant that many of the other issues or topics council 
considers. Logan said he has no interest in seeing marijuana 
storefronts in Colwood at this time.

"Medical marijuana storefronts are popping up like weeds in Vancouver 
and Victoria, that's not something Colwood is interested in," he said.

The public hearing takes place Tuesday, March 22 at 6 p.m. at Colwood 
City Hall, 3300 Wishart Rd.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom