Pubdate: Wed, 25 Jan 2017
Source: Goldstream Gazette (Victoria, CN BC)
Copyright: 2017 Black Press
Contact:  http://www.vicnews.com/eeditions/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1291

LET'S NOT FORGET, POT DISPENSARIES ARE STILL ILLEGAL

Last week's closure of a marijuana dispensary in Langford illustrates
a big difference between our communities and the City of Victoria,
where such shops outnumber Starbucks outlets.

Victoria, in which one can find a so-called medical marijuana
dispensary in virtually any neighbourhood, has chosen to turn a blind
eye to the proliferation of these retail outlets. They believe that
the day will eventually come when pot becomes legalized and regulated.
Victoria council also controls its own municipal police force and can
make that choice.

West Shore municipalities, on the other hand, have so far held the
view that until legislation is enacted to change the Criminal Code of
Canada and legalize this controlled substance, setting up shop to sell
cannabis products will be a non-starter.

We don't doubt that one day, maybe not even during this federal
government's term, that the operation of these businesses will be
treated like selling alcohol - tightly regulated and taxed (although
booze is a provincial jurisdiction).

But for now, it doesn't make sense to put the police in the difficult
position of having to enforce most laws but ignore others.

Langford Mayor Stew Young made it clear that his municipality has no
interest in allowing freestanding dispensaries. He further stated that
if the federal government allowed pharmacies, or other Health Canada
approved distributors, to sell marijuana products for health-care
purposes, they would be legal in Langford.

The fact that a company managed to put a sign up and prepare to begin
operations speaks to the cloudiness of the federal government's policy
on this matter. Not only are municipalities anxious to receive some
level of direction on future policy, potential operators of what may
one day be regulated and appropriately taxed dispensaries deserve to
be offered the same consideration.

We don't see the complex marijuana distribution issue being settled
anytime soon, but we would all appreciate the federal government
putting together some kind of interim plan for this file.
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MAP posted-by: Matt