Pubdate: Thu, 19 May 2016
Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)
Page: GT8
Copyright: 2016 The Toronto Star
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456
Authors: David Rider & Betsy Powell

WARNINGS ISSUED TO UNLICENSED POT SHOPS

Dispensaries cropping up in Toronto while marijuana remains illegal in Canada

The city's crackdown on unlicensed pot dispensaries began Wednesday 
as Toronto police delivered warning letters to property owners across the city.

The letters are "designed to remind them of what their obligations 
are under the law" and suggest possible consequences, Toronto Police 
Service spokesman Mark Pugash said Wednesday.

He wasn't prepared to say how many letters were issued, but Toronto 
currently has more than 100 marijuana storefronts, surpassing 
Vancouver as the cannabis capital of Canada.

Those found guilty of contravening zoning bylaws could face fines of 
up to $50,000 for a corporation and $25,000 for an individual.

Ottawa has promised to legalize pot for recreational use and 
introduce a legalized regulatory framework. Currently, however, the 
only legal source of marijuana is that grown for medical purposes by 
licensed producers approved by Health Canada. Prescription holders 
can only receive their supply in the mail.

Although the government has done nothing to legalize marijuana yet, 
dozens of pot retailers have popped up around the city and supporters 
argue they should be left alone.

Nevertheless, the city says they're breaking the law because selling 
pot "in this manner is not permitted under the federal regulations 
governing" medical marijuana, said Mark Sraga, director of 
investigations at Municipal Licensing and Standards.

The division is liaising with other enforcement agencies, including 
Toronto police and other city divisions, to "undertake all 
appropriate enforcement efforts," Sraga said in an emailed statement. 
An update "will be provided in the future."

Licensing staff would not comment on the warning letters.

On Wednesday, Toronto police Chief Mark Saunders said his department 
is working with city hall and federal prosecutors to determine the 
"best course of action."

"That is a grey area, we are waiting for the federal government to do 
what they need to do," he said in an interview on CBC Radio.

While police are investigating complaints, there is a reluctance to 
lay any charges simply to have the cases tossed out of court once 
Ottawa proceeds with legalization, he said.

Toronto's public health boss, meanwhile, wants strict federal rules 
on the sale and use of recreational marijuana when it becomes legal.

"Designing a regulatory approach for non-medical cannabis is 
complex," Dr. David McKeown, the city's medical officer of health, 
said in a statement accompanying a report released Wednesday.

"We are therefore urging the federal government to use an 
evidence-based public-health approach that builds on the lessons 
learned from regulating tobacco and alcohol."

McKeown argues that, along with therapeutic benefits, marijuana can 
pose health hazards including: the risk of impaired driving; exposure 
to cancer-causing chemicals; poor respiratory health; mental-health 
impacts from "frequent and heavy use" and impacts on adolescent brain 
development.

He wants Toronto's health board to urge federal Health Minister Jane 
Philpott to ensure "strong government regulatory control" on: 
recreational marijuana's availability; a minimum purchasing age; 
rules to minimize its promotion; strong impaired-driving policies and 
restrictions on smoking pot in public places.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said his government will move next 
year to legalize, regulate and restrict access to marijuana.

Scarborough Liberal MP Bill Blair, Toronto's former police chief and 
now Trudeau's point man on modernizing pot laws, has talked about the 
need for strict regulation of the drug once it's legal.

Mayor John Tory said the spread of pot shops is "verging on being out 
of control."

He has asked licensing division to explore ways of regulating pot businesses.

Vancouver and Victoria have introduced licensing fees and regulations 
that control pot shops' proximity to schools, community centres and 
other dispensaries.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom