Pubdate: Wed, 28 Dec 2016
Source: Tri-City News (Port Coquitlam, CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 Tri-City News
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/3X3xlf9Y
Website: http://www.tricitynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1239
Author: Janis Cleugh

2016 Year in Review

GOV'TS GRAPPLE WITH WEED RULES IN 2017

Cops, city staff rework policies in face of law change

With federal legislation set to be introduced this spring to legalize
marijuana across Canada, city staff and police in the Tri-Cities may
have to rejig their policies.

Port Coquitlam - which already has a storefront dispensary selling
recreational pot, contrary to Health Canada's Controlled Drugs and
Substances Act as well as city regulations - is keeping a close eye on
the proposed changes.

Zoning, building and business licensing will likely be affected, with
city council approval.

But "until draft legislation has been tabled, the exact role that
municipalities will play in a cannabis-regulatory scheme cannot be
reliably predicted," said Dan Scoones, PoCo's bylaw services manager.

Coquitlam RCMP is also paying attention as the new rules take shape
"but we won't be in a position to comment until we know more," a
detachment spokesperson said.

This month, a federally appointed task force recommended adults aged
18 and up be allowed to buy marijuana from retail outlets away from
schools, parks and community centres.

As well, as part of its 80 recommendations, the task force suggested
personal growing limits be capped at four plants per person and a
30-gram limit be placed on personal possession.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt