Pubdate: Wed, 20 Jul 2016
Source: Penticton Herald (CN BC)
Page: A1
Copyright: 2016 The Okanagan Valley Group of Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.pentictonherald.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/664
Author: Tiffany Goodwein

POT-SHOP DEBATE RAGES IN OSOYOOS

It was standing room only Monday as Osoyoos residents packed into 
council chambers for a public hearing on a zoning bylaw to ban 
medical marijuana dispensaries.

Some people in the business pleaded with council to take a hands-off 
approach on compassionate grounds while the federal government works 
through the legalization process. "We are not drug dealers. We are 
not here making a buck. We are here to serve a purpose," said Nixon 
Zaye, former operator of The Numbers Club, which supplies medical 
marijuana to members.

Grant Bruce, who operated the Starbuds dispensary, which was shut 
down by the town in May, told council he has epilepsy and has used 
marijuana to treat his illness since he was 15.

He urged council to adopt strict regulations to govern pot shops.

"I'm not opposed to any bylaw. I would just like to see a 
professional approach," said Bruce.

Others at the public hearing argued banning marijuana dispensaries 
will only help feed the black market.

"A dispensary closure, rather than reducing cannabis access, puts it 
back on the streets," said Mark Conlin, spokesperson for Sensible BC, 
an organization in support of the decriminalization of marijuana and 
the creation of provincial regulations.

Osoyoos Mayor Sue McKortoff assured the public that council is 
sympathetic towards medical marijuana users, but also explained the 
dilemma the town is facing.

"At the moment, we cannot issue business licences (to marijuana 
dispensaries) because it is against federal law," she said.

Council is scheduled to vote on the bylaw at a special public meeting Aug. 9.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom