PETITION SUPPORTS POT DISPENSARY

But local Liberal MLA has concerns about shop's message.

TAGGS medicinal marijuana dispensary has collected more than 150
signatures on a petition supporting its existence in just a few days,
said director Michael Joinson (pictured).

The dispensary also now has 35 members.

The dispensary opened its doors on May 3 on 224 Street and has been
creating headaches for local police and politicians in how to deal
with the dispensary, which Joinson said only distributes marijuana to
people with Health Canada permission to use it medicinally or to
people with a doctor's letter stating it would alleviate medical symptoms.

Health Canada doesn't give compassionate dispensaries permission to
sell marijuana. However, there are three dispensaries in Vancouver,
two in Victoria and one in Kelowna in operation that haven't been
shut down by police.

Joinson met with Maple Ridge Mayor Ernie Daykin on Tuesday and was
pleased with the meeting. Daykin said staff will provide an update to
council on the dispensary at next Monday's workshop meeting. At the
previous workshop meeting police and bylaw staff told council they
were still investigating the legality of the dispensary.

"I really have a good feeling we're going to be able to figure out a
design for dispensaries to work in small communities. That's what we
told (Daykin). He'd be the hero, the pioneer who's finally cleaned up
this mess by Health Canada," said Joinson.

Health Canada allows some people who are allowed to use medicinal
marijuana to grow it themselves or to designate someone to grow it
for them. That grower can only grow for up to two people. People
legally allowed to use medicinal marijuana can also buy it from the
government. However, Joinson said many people can't grow marijuana
themselves and they aren't happy with the quality of marijuana the
government-supplier produces and that's why dispensaries have appeared.

Joinson said he believes more people want to become members of the
non-profit society but they are "leery of being in the place if they
do decide to close it down."

The location of the dispensary has been controversial because some
neighbourhood residents are upset it's moved in at a time when
they're trying to clean the neighbourhood, which is known for drugs,
prostitution and crime, up.

Joinson said he wants to be part of that.

"We want to help clean it up," he said.

Joinson said Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows MLA Michael Sather recently
went on a tour of the dispensary. The TIMES was unable to contact
Sather for comment for this story.

Meanwhile, Maple Ridge Mission MLA Marc Dalton said he has concerns about it.

"I guess number one is I'm concerned about the mixed messages that we
may be sending in general to our young people having been a teacher
for many years," he said.

Dalton said the anti-smoking campaign has been effective and there's
been a reduction in youth smoking.

"Are we sending mixed messages in the area of drug use? I can
appreciate that there are people that have medical needs, they've
achieved the criteria through Health Canada but I am concerned about
the message it also sends to our population, to our young people that
pot smoking is OK," said Dalton. "I know this is medical but there's
still a message. My second concern is...is this going to lead to a
further expansion (of marijuana usage)."

Daykin said he understands the dispensary is trying to help sick
people and "it may be a benefit in their situation but there's
legislation in place that makes some of what they're doing, from my
understanding, it doesn't line up with the laws."