Pubdate: Wed, 11 May 2016
Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB)
Copyright: 2016 Winnipeg Free Press
Contact: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/send_a_letter
Website: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502
Author: Aldo Santin
Page: B3

MARIJUANA REGULATIONS CAN WAIT

ENTREPRENEURS planning retail marijuana operations will not yet get 
direction from city hall.

A civic committee Tuesday supported an administrative recommendation 
not to prepare a report examining how retail marijuana operators can 
be regulated - despite a November directive from council to do so.

The proposal had been a suggestion from Coun. Ross Eadie, who said 
the city should be proactive in regulating where sellers can operate 
in anticipation of the federal government either legalizing or 
decriminalizing marijuana.

Eadie said without regulations in place, marijuana retailers would be 
able to set up adjacent to schools - which he opposes.

But planning director John Kiernan told councillors on the property 
and development committee it's premature to come up with rules 
without knowing what changes the federal government is planning. 
Kiernan said his staff have reviewed what other communities have 
done, and can produce regulations affecting the location of retail 
marijuana operators once Ottawa changes the drug laws.

Eadie said city hall still needs to have regulations around retail 
marijuana shops.

"My concern is medical marijuana outlets will start opening again 
given the eventual legalization of marijuana in 2017, if the federal 
government is true to their word," Eadie said. "These still-illegal 
outlets may get out there ahead of the other outlets to establish 
their presence and customer base. We should do as Vancouver has done 
by getting out ahead of any potential disorganization."

Eadie said it's not certain how the new Manitoba government will deal 
with retail marijuana operations but city hall should take a public 
position on it now. maintenance but noted some tenants pay market 
rent, which the artists do not.

Councillors on the committee did not propose any concessions for the 
artists' group and instructed the administration to renew the lease 
according to the terms it was proposing.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom