Pubdate: Wed, 15 Nov 2017
Source: Daily Courier, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2017 The Okanagan Valley Group of Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/531
Author: Norma Durand
Page: A9

DISPENSARIES NECESSARY

Dear editor: On Oct. 19, I was saddened and outraged while viewing
Global Okanagan's interview with West Kelowna city councillor, Rusty
Ensign, regarding the pulling of business licences of the city's
medical cannabis dispensaries.

Last week, I attended one of West Kelowna's cannabis dispensaries to
purchase some edible products which help to control my pain and allow
me to get some quality sleep, and, contrary to Ensign's claims that
such stores service 20-30-year-old males, there were none in the shop,
only three other ladies, of which only one was under the age of 65.

Some of these dispensaries have been operating for more than three
years, with a business licence granted from the City of West Kelowna.
Several other dispensaries have subsequently been granted their
business licences from the city. I am disappointed to learn that all
of these businesses that were granted business licenses, in good
faith, have now suddenly had their licences revoked. Their products
have not changed, and they had been granted a licence to sell them.

They are now dealing with bylaw enforcement and fines of $1,000 per
day. What suddenly changed? What are the motives of this city council?

The city has stated that they had to revoke these business licences,
which they granted, because the police were not stepping in to shut
them down. So I ask, why would the city issue business licences to
shops with the expectation that the police would then step in and
close the shops down?

Doctors often issue medical marijuana permits (cards) to enable their
patients to purchase the products legally and these dispensaries are a
necessity for the wellness of many. Shutting down the dispensaries
will force some of these people to purchase products off street
vendors, possibly ending up with contaminated products.

Norma Durand

West Kelowna
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt