Pubdate: Wed, 17 Aug 2016
Source: Sooke News Mirror (CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 Sooke News Mirror
Contact:  http://www.sookenewsmirror.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2142
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v16/n539/a03.html
Author: Lui Burk

POT DISPENSARIES OPERATING ILLEGALLY

Re: Sooke mom urges regulations on local marijuana dispensaries (News, Aug. 10)

After the extended research and sleepless night, the following 
information was found regarding the legal status of marijuana 
dispensaries in Canada (facts only):

According to the RCMP:

1. No person shall possess a substance included in Schedule I, II or 
III of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (SDCA).

2. Cannabis is listed in Schedule II of the SDCA.

According to Health Canada:

1. "Dried marijuana is not an approved drug or medicine in Canada. 
The Government of Canada does not endorse the use of marijuana, but 
the courts have required reasonable access to a legal source of 
marijuana when authorized by a healthcare practitioner."

2. Steps to access medical marijuana: healthcare practitioner has to 
fill in medical document; patient must send the original medical 
document to a licensed producer with a registration form; the 
licensed producer will fill and ship patient's order, based on the 
daily amount of dried marijuana indicated on the medical document.

3. Only licensed producers can produce and sell medical marijuana.

4. There are only eight licensed producers in B.C., none of the Sooke 
dispensaries are licensed.

5. No storefront can be operated under current MMPR. No compassion 
clubs can dispense for a licensed producer. Licensed producers must 
ship dried marijuana directly to the client, to an individual 
responsible for the client, or to the client's healthcare practitioner.

Conclusion:

Regardless of municipal regulations, all medical marijuana 
dispensaries are illegal in Canada. Despite a patient having a 
medical prescription, these customers could still be charged with 
illegal possession when buying from one of these dispensaries.

Federal government anticipation of legalizing marijuana doesn't make 
it legal. And, regulation is not the same as prohibition.

The least mayor and council can do for Sooke is to mirror Victoria's 
new bylaw. If you haven't signed the petition yet, think about it again.

Lui Burk

Sooke
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom