Pubdate: Wed, 04 May 2016
Source: Prince Albert Daily Herald (CN SN)
Copyright: 2016 Prince Albert Daily Herald
Contact:  http://www.paherald.sk.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1918
Author: Tyler Clarke
Page: 2

SPARKING THE MARIJUANA DEBATE

Pending final approval from Health Canada, Mark McCaul plans to sell 
medical marijuana in downtown Prince Albert as soon as possible.

His intent is to expand his "unorthodox medicinal supply shop," The 
Hum (62 13th St. W.), into the property next-door once all of his 
legal ducks are in a row.

But first, he has some misconceptions to dispel; an effort he's been 
striving to accomplish through his own actions as a medical marijuana advocate.

Surrounded by bongs and other paraphernalia associated with marijuana 
in his shop, McCaul admits that a common assumption is that he's some 
"major stoner."

Although he used medical marijuana in the past to help deal with a 
back injury, he's not a regular user.

"I actually don't use it, but I truly believe in it at the same 
time," he said, adding; "I believe my body is a temple, and if it 
comes down the road that I need it again, so be it."

Marijuana is a medicine and should be used as such, he added.

"The biggest growing community in the cannabis market is seniors, 
because they have pills on top of pills on top of pills and most of 
their ailments can be relieved by medical marijuana."

While advocating for the medicinal benefits of marijuana, McCaul has 
also been working for the past eight months at getting his proposed 
dispensary aboveboard.

Meeting government regulations has been a hurdle. He hired a lawyer 
and has connected with the Prince Albert Police Service and Prince 
Albert Fire Department to ensure they're all on the same page.

McCaul also left a few messages with Mayor Greg Dionne's office, 
which remain unanswered.

"They're against the law," Dionne explained on Tuesday. "We have no 
reaction. There will be no dispensary opening in the city of Prince Albert."

Offering a chuckle and headshake on hearing Dionne's comments 
relayed, McCaul said that this is exactly why he's been trying to 
meet with him.

Medical marijuana dispensaries can be perfectly legal when done 
properly, without the legal grey area that has resulted in the 
shutdown of various compassion clubs.

McCaul said that he's not selling medical marijuana until he reaches 
a point where his legal status in doing so is not up for debate.

When all is said and done, he'll also have a licensed grower in the 
Prince Albert area.

"There's no intent to be doing any backdoor dealings or anything like 
that," McCaul summarized. "We want what's best for the community."

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[sidebar]

The federal Liberals' plans

The medical marijuana dispensary Mark McCaul hopes to open in the 
unit block of 13th St. W. would fall under current regulations, if approved.

Marijuana will only be sold to those with medical marijuana cards, as 
prescribed by doctors.

The federal Liberals' plan to legalize marijuana is a completely 
different matter, which McCaul said he'll deal with as laws and 
regulations are established.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom