Pubdate: Fri, 08 Dec 2017
Source: Penticton Western (CN BC)
Copyright: 2017 Penticton Western
Contact:  http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1310
Author: Steve Kidd

MORE INFO NEEDED BY CITY HALL ON LEGALIZATION

Penticton Mayor Andrew Jakubeit said more information should come in
the spring

Though the Province of B.C. has unveiled part of their distribution
model for legal cannabis, Penticton Mayor Andrew Jakubeit said more
information is needed before city hall can start generating ideas
about how to deal with the changes.

"In spring, we will start going out to get information to better
gauge, with the community and stakeholders, to help determine how many
do we want, how many is enough and what should we be putting in our
own regulations to deal with the zoning and placement of dispensaries
when they become legalized later in the year," said Jakubeit. "We need
to, in early spring, start addressing it and by that time the province
should be unveiling more information to help us formulate a plan."

Jakubeit said adopting a similar distribution model to alcohol and
giving responsibility to the provincial Liquor Control Board is a good
move.

"You don't see cold beer and wine stores all over the place," said
Jakubeit. "There is a process to getting them approved and also
enforcement to make sure they are complying."

What really needs clarification, Jakubeit said, is how tax revenues
are going to be shared out.

"Last I heard, any taxation from marijuana was going to be split
between the provinces and the feds," said Jakubeit. "The
municipalities are the ones that are going to have to regulate,
enforce and deal with any unforeseen consequences. That still needs to
be clarified, as do any other regulations around marijuana
dispensaries as to their location and how many."

Jakubeit also said communities need to both share in the taxes and
have input, since they will be the front line of dealing with
enforcement and regulations, along with any unforeseen consequences
that come out of marijuana sales.

"There is still so many things up in the air or not defined, that we
are still waiting for more information … from federal and, more
importantly, provincial levels," said Jakubeit.
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MAP posted-by: Matt