Pubdate: Thu, 29 Sep 2016
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact: http://www.ottawasun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://www.ottawasun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329
Author: Jon Willing
Page: 4

Watson: POT SHOPS SHOULD FEEL THE HEAT

Mayor Jim Watson suggested Wednesday that police need to smoke out
marijuana dispensaries, which are sprouting all across Ottawa.

"I would like to see everyone obey and respect the law," Watson told
reporters Wednesday. "If marijuana is going to be legalized, as the
prime minister has indicated, then that's fine, we'll live with those
rules and regulations and these shops can then open legally, but we
don't know the timeframe of that and while they're breaking the law, I
think the law should be enforced."

Watson pointed to the crackdowns in Toronto, where police have raided
dispensaries and seized cannabis products.

"When you're charged and you're fined and your product is taken away,
that sends a pretty good signal that you're probably not going to stay
in business very long and, if you continue to go and do it, you're
going to be fined again," Watson said.

The shops usually say they're catering to medical marijuana users, but
storefront pot shops aren't allowed in Canada.

Meanwhile, the federal Liberals are working on legislation to legalize
marijuana.

Rideau-Vanier Coun. Mathieu Fleury, who, along with other councillors,
has voiced concern about the dispensaries, filed a written inquiry at
a council meeting asking the city what it's doing to enforce the
dispensaries.

It follows a similar inquiry made at the police services board
Monday.

Watson noted politicians don't have the authority to direct police
operations, but he indicated his preference for how the city should be
handling the rogue pot shops.
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MAP posted-by: Matt