Pubdate: Fri, 15 Sep 2017
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2017 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Ian Mulgrew
Page: A1

DOPE SHOPS ARE GOING THE WAY OF THE DODO

Cannabis dispensaries should be afraid, very afraid, about what is in
store when the federal government legalizes cannabis for recreational
use.

Justice ministers are meeting in Vancouver and the House of Commons
health committee this week has been examining the legalization law -
and the clock is ticking for those trying to cash in on the current
chaos.

There are widespread concerns about everything from the massive impact
of legal cannabis on impaired driving enforcement to the fallout of
allowing anyone over 18 to grow up to four pot plants.

In a presentation reminiscent of reefer madness, the country's cops
evoked images of apartment buildings turned into highrise grow
operations - forget The Towering Inferno, think The Towering Bong.

Manitoba and Saskatchewan led a charge for a delay in the
implementation of the law.

But federal Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale insisted: "This is a
large transformative initiative." "When you bring forward that kind of
measure," Goodale added, "obviously it challenges people to meet the
objectives. But the time frame is a solid one."

There seems little official support in Ottawa or provincial capitals
for the brazen scofflaws behind dozens of pot shops and so-called
dispensaries, and the writing for them appears to be on the wall.

A week ago, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne became the first provincial
leader to announce how her administration will meet the deadline -
legal sales will be restricted to a website and 150 government outlets
separate from liquor stores. The stores will be supplied by producers
licensed under the federal medical program.

Although Wynne was criticized for establishing a government monopoly,
her move makes sense as a first step to manage such a cultural sea
change.

It is going to be difficult if not impossible for any province to set
up its own regime for vetting and permitting producers along with
private retail outlets quickly enough to harvest enough product and
have stores open by July 1.

Also, just as it took time to develop systems of private liquor sales
given social sensibilities and the potential profits in a controlled
market, a multi-faceted marketplace for pot will require similar time
given the windfalls and community concerns.

The City of Toronto endorsed the province's approach in a staff report
that looked at how legalization will impact civic services, bylaws,
zoning and business practices.

Dispensary owners in Vancouver who think there might be safety in
numbers should note the report states Toronto has shut down 139
illegal storefronts since the spring of 2016 and laid more than 611
charges against property owners, business owners and employees.

Each province faces challenges - drafting appropriate workplace,
highway safety and other laws to address the impacts of legalization,
and establishing regimes for producing and selling recreational
cannabis products.

Ontario has adopted an easy solution, and I expect others to follow
suit and to later modify such initial government-controlled
production-and-distribution systems as consensus around regulatory
measures solidifies.

With that in mind, the authorized medical producers are ramping up
their operations. Still, shortages are predicted - even though no one
has explained how consumers will know what's available or what they
can buy since advertising is prohibited.

There should have been a federal-provincial working group appointed
after the Liberals were elected to discuss these issues. As well, this
province should have initiated public discussions about production,
retail sales, advertising and public concerns rather than allowing
over-ambitious city politicians to muddy the waters.

At the moment, dispensaries are all supplied by the black
market.

Those pocketing the profits and some consumers are happy, but everyone
else continues to deal with the gang violence and social problems that
come with illegal grow operations and the underground economy.

If it allows those selling illicit product to remain open, Vancouver
will nullify the positives of legalization by allowing subterranean
suppliers continued access to B.C.'s biggest potmarket.

Up until now, the debate around cannabis has been about ending the
harmful criminal prohibition, and Canadians endorsed that. There has
been, however, no proper discussion around how recreational cannabis
should be produced, sold and regulated - and not so much agreement on
that.

Given the massive profits that stand to be made and the significant
social impacts that legalization will engender, I think Wynne's very
conservative approach will resonate.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt