FILE PHOTO: Hasia Glaim at a medical marijuana dispensary in Vernon.
(CHARLOTTE HELSTON / iNFOnews.ca)
February 10, 2017 - 2:59 PM
WEST KELOWNA – Medical marijuana dispensaries will not be allowed in West Kelowna any time soon.
That’s according to a statement provided by Staff Sgt. Lesli Roseberry to West Kelowna city council today, Feb. 10.
“The RCMP is responsible for enforcing Canadian laws, as they stand today. Our communities expect that we will take enforcement action to meet this responsibility, and do so in an impartial and professional manner,” he said. “There is no such thing as having a tolerance for marihuana dispensaries. Simply put, these dispensaries are illegal.”
Roseberry says in a media release marijuana continues to be regulated as a controlled substance under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and that the RCMP has an obligation to enforce the law.
“It is illegal to sell marijuana to the public, regardless of whether or not the purchasing individuals have licenses to possess marijuana or whether or not the vendor has a license to produce marijuana,” the release says. “While the RCMP supports efforts to ensure that those permitted by the law have their required access to marijuana for medical purposes, the current legislation does not provide blanket legality to produce, use, or traffic marijuana.”
Owners and employees of these dispensaries may be charged with trafficking in a controlled substance.
“We support local businesses whose operations are conducted within the current scope of local, provincial and federal laws. Business operators who choose to conduct their operations outside of these laws may be investigated.”
West Kelowna Council will consider giving first reading to a proposed bylaw amendment which would “further regulate and provide clarity for commercial medical marijuana facilities in West Kelowna” on Feb. 14, the release says.
A draft bylaw and staff report is available for review at the City of West Kelowna website.
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