DOPE DISPENSARY IN CITY'S SOUTH

A new medical marijuana dispensary in South Vancouver is the city's
first to offer an in-house doctor who can recommend the drug for those in need.

The Imedikate dispensary, at 6128 Fraser St., officially opened
Sunday, and offers marijuana from licensed growers to those with
illnesses, such as HIV/AIDS, cancer and multiple sclerosis.

"So many patients I meet tell me that even with a horrific or
life-threatening condition they are unable to find a supportive
doctor," said dispensary director Jacob Hunter.

If that's the case, Imedikate's in-house physician can recommend for
them, as long as they have medical proof of a qualifying illness.

"We just realize how much need there is out there," he said.

"There needs to be dispensaries where there are people. It's not
appropriate for someone from Chilliwack to have to drive into Vancouver."

Neighbours have also expressed plenty of support for the dispensary.

"It's almost every day we have someone coming in thanking us for
opening," Hunter said. "I think that it's just part of the cultural
zeitgeist here. I think people recognize that medication is medication."

It is the sixth dispensary to open in Vancouver proper.