VIANARCHRIS
Well-Known Member
Once a municipal government gets a whiff of the money it's too hard to resist. BC is quickly becoming the 'Colorado' of Canada. The feds have a choice...come in and try to enforce an antiquated, unpopular law against the wishes of the majority or they throw their hands in the air and ignore it. Either way, there is no going back.
In six months, Victoria’s growing number of medical marijuana dispensaries may face annual fees worth tens of thousands of dollars for the right to do business in the city.
City council asked staff to come up with regulations similar to those Vancouver is considering.
The Weeds Social Club, Leaf, the BC Pain Society.
These are a few of Victoria’s growing number of medical marijuana dispensaries.
They operate without business licenses, but that’s about to change.
“The purpose of this report is to seek council direction on the regulation of medical marijuana businesses within the city.”
Victoria’s city council is following the lead of Vancouver where pot shops may be charged up to $30,000 a year for a business licenses, and face restrictions on where they’re located.
Inspector Scott McGregor says Victoria Police support the move.
“From the police perspective it’s going to send a message to the businesses that are out there that they are not going to be able to operate with impunity.”
The only legal way to buy medical marijuana is through a federally regulated producer who ships it in the mail.
But the the likiehood of anyone facing charges is remote.
So police focus on what does impact the community.
“We are focusing on our limited resources the sell of methamphetamine on the street. Heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine on the street.”
“Young is opposed. The motion passes.”
What this vote means is that sometime this year, the city will likely begin regulating medical marijuana dispensaries.
And that is a significant change, according to Mayor Lisa Helps.
“So all of them will have to have a business licenses through this new business license regime that we’re proposing. It gives the city much more control over what’s happening.”
And it’s a move those in the medical marijuana business agree with.
“We’ve been asking for regulation for some time, we’re happy to see that we’re going in that direction.”
“We’re stuck in the middle here where we want to help the community but at the same time there’s no legislation to tell us how to do it.”
“The police are not opposed to the city taking a more regulatory approach gives me comfort.”
The staff report to council is expected to take at least six months.
In the meantime, the police and the city will continue to monitor the existing dispensaries.
In six months, Victoria’s growing number of medical marijuana dispensaries may face annual fees worth tens of thousands of dollars for the right to do business in the city.
City council asked staff to come up with regulations similar to those Vancouver is considering.
The Weeds Social Club, Leaf, the BC Pain Society.
These are a few of Victoria’s growing number of medical marijuana dispensaries.
They operate without business licenses, but that’s about to change.
“The purpose of this report is to seek council direction on the regulation of medical marijuana businesses within the city.”
Victoria’s city council is following the lead of Vancouver where pot shops may be charged up to $30,000 a year for a business licenses, and face restrictions on where they’re located.
Inspector Scott McGregor says Victoria Police support the move.
“From the police perspective it’s going to send a message to the businesses that are out there that they are not going to be able to operate with impunity.”
The only legal way to buy medical marijuana is through a federally regulated producer who ships it in the mail.
But the the likiehood of anyone facing charges is remote.
So police focus on what does impact the community.
“We are focusing on our limited resources the sell of methamphetamine on the street. Heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine on the street.”
“Young is opposed. The motion passes.”
What this vote means is that sometime this year, the city will likely begin regulating medical marijuana dispensaries.
And that is a significant change, according to Mayor Lisa Helps.
“So all of them will have to have a business licenses through this new business license regime that we’re proposing. It gives the city much more control over what’s happening.”
And it’s a move those in the medical marijuana business agree with.
“We’ve been asking for regulation for some time, we’re happy to see that we’re going in that direction.”
“We’re stuck in the middle here where we want to help the community but at the same time there’s no legislation to tell us how to do it.”
“The police are not opposed to the city taking a more regulatory approach gives me comfort.”
The staff report to council is expected to take at least six months.
In the meantime, the police and the city will continue to monitor the existing dispensaries.
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