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. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom