POT DISPENSARY STILL A 'GREAT CONCERN'

There might be little the law can do about medicinal marijuana shops,
but Maple Ridge council is trying to take a tougher tack on those who
grow medicinal pot.

Tuesday, council approved sending a letter to MP Randy Kamp and Health
Canada, asking the department to ensure that all marijuana-licence
holders are following provincial, federal and local laws.

The letter is based on a resolution sent earlier by the district to
the Federation of Canadian Municipalities convention, taking place
this weekend in Toronto.

That resolution cites the dangers posed by medical marijuana grow ops,
such as risk of home invasions, health risks to children and possible
chemical spills and calls for Health Canada to take "immediate action"
to verify compliance with all laws and regulations.

The resolution will also be sent to the Union of B.C.
Municipalities.

The step is the latest the district is taking as it tries to respond
to the opening of Taggs Medical Cannabis Dispensary in a house on
224th Street, south of Lougheed Highway, early this month.

The dispensary is operated by the newly-formed non-profit Always
Growing Green Society, selling medical marijuana to those with permits
from Health Canada or a doctor.

According to a municipal staff report, the "sudden appearance" of a
compassion club is causing "great concern in this municipality," but
notes that because it's run by a non-profit society, the district
can't enforce its business licence bylaw.

Mayor Ernie Daykin said Health Canada was asking for evidence of the
impact of the shop on Maple Ridge, such as the increased workload
faced by the bylaws department, police or fire departments.

That's currently being compiled, but so far according to police and
Maple Ridge bylaws, the house hasn't caused any complaints in the
month it's been operating.

"In terms of complaints that we have received, I'm not aware of any,"
said bylaws director Brock McDonald, adding he'd have to check with
staff.

He said if the house was causing a disruption in the neighbourhood,
such as creating noise or garbage, "then something might come forward
to us."

Even though the building is a house, it's currently in a commercial
zone. "If it was a business, then the way the land is zoned currently,
it would be a permitted use."

Ridge Meadows RCMP also do not report any complaints so far in the few
weeks the house has been open.

"We're monitoring it, there's no doubt about it," a police
spokesperson said.

Previously, Insp. Dave Walsh told council that technically, when
marijuana is sold, it's trafficking. But he said he was waiting to
hear from the Department of Justice on what, if any, enforcement
action to take.

Cannabis compassion clubs like Taggs are not legal in Canada and are
not part of the federal medical cannabis program. Their status is
still under debate and law enforcement often turn a blind eye to their
services as long as the dispensaries serve patients who have
documentation.

The issue cropped up last year as well when Surrey asked that Health
Canada require medicinal marijuana grow operations to follow all
electrical, health, fire and safety regulations.

That prompted a response from Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq,
explaining that her department does not verify compliance by medicinal
marijuana users. Those responsibilities are stated when the person
gets the licence, she said.

However, the department is also looking at ways to improve the
marijuana medical access program and is consulting with several public
agencies.

After more than seven years of the program's operation, only 4,869
people in Canada have been authorized to possess the narcotic plant
under Marijuana Medical Access Regulations.

Of those, only a select few (1,137 people in Canada) hold a personal
use production licence, or designated-person production licence, from
Health Canada - a permit that allows you to grow legal pot.