Pubdate: Sat, 09 Jul 2016
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact:  http://www.theprovince.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Nick Eagland
Page: 8

SQUAMISH MOVES TOWARD REGULATING POT SHOPS

Councillor says process 'premature' ahead of legalization

A Toronto cannabis-wellness firm is making plans to expand into
Squamish as the district moves toward regulating dispensaries.

On Tuesday, Squamish council adopted bylaws to establish the
regulation of marijuana dispensaries. It began accepting marijuana
business license applications on Wednesday.

Those applicants will include Danielle Blair, president of Calyx
Wellness Centre in Toronto. Blair was at the Cannabis Hemp Conference
in Vancouver on Saturday, where she said her company's lawyers are
prepared to draft applications immediately.

Under current federal law, dispensaries are illegal, but Vancouver
adopted marijuana business regulations last year, allowing some to
operate.

City of Victoria staff plan to propose a new medical marijuana-related
business bylaw to council this month while several other B.C.
municipalities allow dispensaries to operate in anticipation of
federal legalization.

Blair said Calyx, which opened last fall, resembles a spa where
clients can use cannabis-infused oils, tinctures, capsules and salves
before climbing into a float tank or visiting a massage therapist, or
participating in "Vape and Meditate" and "Ganja Yoga" classes.

Next year Calyx will open a wellness retreat in Jamaica.

Blair believes Calyx has a "B.C. vibe" and its services would work
well for medical-cannabis users outside of Vancouver who require
holistic treatments. Its current clients include patients with chronic
pain, epilepsy and cancer, she said.

Squamish Coun. Doug Race said he's been advocating for legalization
for decades but voted against council's decision. Race said the move
was "premature," considering the illegality of dispensaries and the
uncertainty with how the federal government plans to regulate the industry.

"It kind of bothered me that we would bless it by putting in the
zoning bylaw," Race said.

Meanwhile, the city has posted detailed information about its
marijuana dispensary business license applications to
squamish.ca.

A license will cost $5,000 and dispensaries operating without one will
be fined $100 per day.
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MAP posted-by: Matt