Pubdate: Tue, 03 May 2016
Source: Metro (Vancouver, CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 Metro Canada
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/vancouver
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3775
Author: Matt Kieltyka
Page: 2

CITY FINES 44 POT DISPENSARIES

Crackdown a Waste of Time and Resources: Councillor

Vancouver city inspectors have issued violation tickets to 44 medical 
marijuana dispensaries since its enforcement began in full force over 
the weekend.

Under the city's new regulatory regime, enacted six months ago, 
unlicenced medical marijuana-related use (MMRU) stores had until 
Friday to either shut down or relocate to a permitted zone.

The city promised to crack down hard on non-compliant pot shops and 
it remained true to its word.

Violation tickets, which carry a maximum fine of $250 for each day a 
store continues to operate, were issued to 44 businesses and the 
city's chief licence inspector, Andreea Toma, told Metro heavy 
enforcement will continue throughout the week.

The city is also planning to seek injunctions through the courts to 
shut down non-compliant businesses but Toma did not provide a 
timeline on how soon that could happen.

"We are continuing with enforcement, prosecution and injunction all 
at the same time," said Toma.

"There isn't a formula that say you have to issue five tickets before 
you go to prosecution, they're all parallel streams."

Court actions will happen on a case-by-case basis, Toma added.

Other than a couple instances where dispensaries staff and owners 
were "a little bit more apprehensive," Toma said the first weekend of 
enforcement "was very civil."

"I can tell you everyone was treated with respect," she said. "Most 
of the people were expecting us to show up to their locations. For 
the most part, it was quite positive."

To date, only seven MMRU stores have been granted permits by the city 
under the new framework.

Thirteen others are currently under review.

Dozens more are appealing their rejections at the Board of Variance, 
which has MMRU hearings scheduled well into the fall.

The new regulations prevent shops from being located within 300 
metres of schools, community centres, youth facilities and other 
medical marijuana shops.

Toma said 22 stores to date have closed their doors within the last 
six months after being found to be non-compliant with the new regulations.

"That shows me there is a positive response from the industry and we 
hope to bring the rest into compliance," she said. "The time has come."

Marijuana advocates have called the enforcement "unjustified" and a 
heavy-handed assault on the marijuana industry.

Non-Partisan Association city councillor Melissa DeGenova has called 
the clampdown a waste of time and resources.

But in lieu of federal regulations, the city feels this is the best 
way to regulate the industry.

"You have to think back, all these establishments were operating 
without a licence. None of them were licenced prior to June," said Toma.

"We now have a framework. So if they want to continue in this city, 
they have to operate under that framework. Otherwise, they need to 
close their doors."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom