Pubdate: Thu, 28 Apr 2016
Source: Chilliwack Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 Chilliwack Times
Contact:  http://www.chilliwacktimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1357
Author: Paul J. Henderson

WEEMEDICAL PAYING VISIT TO COUNCIL CHAMBERS

They just won't go away.

Those behind Chilliwack's first medical marijuana dispensary-which 
opened on March 19, was fined by city hall from day one, shuttered by 
police on April 5, reopened April 15, and then raided again April 
18-are coming to city council on Tuesday.

And WeeMedical Dispensary located on Fifth Avenue planned to open its 
doors as of 11 a.m. on Thursday, staying open until the council 
meeting on May 3 at 3 p.m., not to sell cannabis products, but to 
provide information about the society's other dispensaries in the 
Lower Mainland, and take signatures on a petition.

Taryn Sparkes who was one of the employees in the dispensary for the 
shop's brief second period of opening said Tuesday that WeeMedical 
Dispensary Society director May Joan Liu will be at city council May 
3 for a reconsideration hearing of their business licence.

The city never issued WeeMedical a business licence nor will it, 
because the business is in violation of the city's zoning bylaws.

Fines of $1,000 a day were levied to the society behind the 
dispensary, and $500 a day each to the building's two owners since 
the day it opened in March.

When asked about the council appearance on May 3, Mayor Sharon Gaetz 
said WeeMedical asked for the meeting.

"To my understanding, they want to ask why they were not given a 
business licence," she said.

When asked if this meant city hall would reconsider, and possibly 
allow for the dispensary, Gaetz was categorical.

"No, we are not reconsidering," she said. "I can't see any reason why 
we would. It's an illegal activity. It's not regulated yet. The 
federal government has told us it will be legalized and at that time 
we will work with the regulations."

Meanwhile, dozens of medical marijuana businesses in Vancouver could 
face court action if they don't shut their doors by Friday as ordered 
by city hall.

Vancouver was the first city in Canada to adopt regulations for 
marijuana shops. Unlike Chilliwack's only dispensary that was raided 
by the RCMP and shut down on April 5, Vancouver's were allowed to 
stay open, and the city decided to regulate them.

The businesses ordered to shut down in Vancouver are those not 
abiding by the city's regulations.

Gaetz said she simply wants to see things done legally and according 
to federal law.

"The impetus is on the federal government to hurry up and legalize 
and start to work with the companies," she said. "I don't think 
anyone who intends to go into the business appreciates those who jump 
the queue."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom