IF POT MUST BE SOLD, IT SHOULD BE AT PHARMACIES

Shop Dispensing Medical Marijuana -- Without Even A Business Licence

Why am I not surprised that a medical marijuana dispensary has now
opened, without a business licence, in downtown Maple Ridge?

Well, such cannabis dispensaries are growing like weeds in Western
U.S. states such as California where, in a November referendum,
citizens will vote on whether to legalize recreational use of the
drug and tax sales of it.

In B.C., of course, smoking marijuana has become effectively legal
for years -- for all except those who actually blow the smoke in a
cop's face. What we Canadians don't seem to approve of is growing pot
for profit. A recent poll shows that, while most support legalizing
marijuana, a hefty majority want stiff penalties for grow operators.

We're a bit conflicted about the issue, in other words. So are Lower
Mainland politicians and police -- especially about the dispensing of
medical marijuana, currently governed by somewhat Byzantine Health
Canada rules.

A case in point is the controversial Taggs Medicinal Cannabis
Dispensary which, without warning civic authorities, has just set up
shop in Maple Ridge and is "dispensing" all kinds of marijuana
products, from the weed itself to capsules, oils and so-called edibles.

Michael Joinson, director of The Always Growing Green Society that
runs the dispensary, told me Tuesday it doesn't need a business
licence because it's a non-profit organization, as are a half-a-dozen
other B.C. dispensaries. A new dispensary is opening next week in
Vancouver's West End, he added.

The 42-year-old Joinson, a former roofer who uses marijuana to cope
with chronic back pain, has a government exemption from drug laws. He
says some of the 44 dispensary members also have this exemption.
Others have been referred by a doctor "and are in the first stages of
getting their government exemption."

Joinson says his position is unpaid, though he has two employees,
paid $15 and $10 an hour, respectively. "As soon as this society
starts bringing in money, that money is going back into this
community," he noted.

However, Maple Ridge Mayor Ernie Daykin said the dispensary is
situated in a less-than-savoury area, and local citizens are fearful
it will bring further problems: "Folks see this as not being helpful
to the neighbourhood."

Then, there are legal issues. Currently, Health Canada grants access
to medical marijuana to those suffering from "grave and debilitating
illnesses." And, subject to some restrictions, it lets them grow it
themselves, get it from Health Canada or designate someone else to
grow it for them.

But Daykin thinks it would be far better if regular pharmacies, not
unregulated pot dispensaries, were responsible for dispensing medical
marijuana on a doctor's prescription.

I agree with him. That way users would be protected and the medical
use of marijuana would gain legitimacy -- and not simply be viewed as
a crafty way of getting around Canada's drug-trafficking laws.

The problem is that Health Canada is not one of Ottawa's most
responsive departments. So don't expect any rule changes any time soon.

In the meantime, we'll just have to wait for what happens in the
California referendum -- and follow suit at some point down the road,
as we invariably do.