By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: March 5, 2017
A local father is questioning the district on why it gave a business licence to a proposed medical marijuana dispensary in downtown Squamish.
The local citizen said he recently noticed a new ‘Coming Soon’ sign for a new dispensary on Second Avenue, while walking down to Stan Clarke park with his three kids.
“I would love to know how this was approved; first, as dispensaries are still illegal in Canada. Second, why it is in such close relation to all the downtown residential, and on the same street one block away from a park.”
“I would love to know how this was approved; first, as dispensaries are still illegal in Canada. Second, why it is in such close relation to all the downtown residential, and on the same street one block away from a park,” he wrote.
The resident said he was extremely taken aback by the proposed dispensary and whether the district had given any consideration to the fact that the new dispensary would be just a block away from the park.
“Was/is there a public inquiry on these things? Was any consideration taken into account from anyone at the district that this is a block away from a park? Or is it because everyone is happy to pay / accept the $5000 business license “fee”, that everyone can turn a blind eye? How is this even remotely helping our long term community plan for families, he wondered.
The citizen said he wasn’t necessarily against dispensaries, when they becomes legal, but it’s not acceptable to put it in such a prominent spot and so close to a place where children frequent. “You may as well allow a vape shop beside a high school while you are at it…oh wait.”
Even though education around marijuana is the responsibility of the parents, the district could have exercised caution on where the dispensaries can go, he noted.
“It’s the responsibility of the parents to educate their kids, I’m doing that on a daily basis. But it doesn’t mean it needs to be pushed in their face every time we want to walk to the park. Sure I can take a different street, but soon there will be one on Cleveland Ave. I’m sure,” he said.
District spokesperson Christina Moore said council made changes to the bylaw to help the district prepare for the expected legalisation of marijuana.
She said the district followed emerging best practices as communities in BC navigated to exercise some controls over this type of business, which still remains illegal under federal law.
“In the absence of federal guidelines (at the time) on timelines for legalization and what a sales/distribution framework might look like in the future, the District of Squamish undertook this work in an effort to regulate the likely expansion of such businesses.
Councils across BC are now focused on what the federal and provincial regulations and impending legalization and regulation looks like, and what will need to be considered by all municipalities across the country to manage, enforce and fund the new mandate.
The marijuana dispensary Business Licence fee in the district of Squamish is $5,000 and the fine for operating without a valid business licence is $100 per day.
Bryan Raiser, the owner of 99 North Medical Cannabis Dispensary, said vast majority of Canadians support access to medical cannabis. They are illegal because there is no mechanism in place to support legal dispensaries.
“The only legal way to obtain cannabis in Canada is through a flawed process using one of 16 Licensed Producers (LP’s). This system has many troubles but two big ones: they are only allowed to offer dried cannabis and only by mail. Yes, they should be regulated; no, they are not the perfect solution. But the current system is broken and instead of watching loved ones suffer, many caring people in our country have chosen to open a dispensary to provide a safe and secure source for information and medicine,” he said.
He argued his position in an article he wrote for the Reporter few years ago.
Frank Manuel says
I find it hard to support the idea that a dispensary across from or near a park, shoves its products in the faces of children playing there. The children are taken there by their parents, like the writer of this post, I am sure.
Feet Banks says
Isn’t there a liquor store even closer to the park? Is anyone rattling their pitchforks about that? Which substance is more harmful i wonder? Well the government has pages on both. Imagine a world where people would takepersonal responsibility for their and their childrens’ lives, do some research, decide where they stand and the act accordingly to do what works for them and their family (without trying to push their morals and fears on the rest of us).
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/substance-abuse/alcohol-abuse.html
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/substance-abuse/controlled-illegal-drugs/health-risks-of-marijuana-use.html
Donny says
and there’s a booze shop next door to the Dollar store where I take my kids for exercise, and oh me miserum, there’s a BREWERY right down wind from the Kids Library. They’ll be having BOOKS in schools next!!!!
Anonymous says
“You may as well allow a vape shop beside a high school while you are at it…oh wait.”
I do believe the schools have sent out many emails regarding students vaping even on a bus I have heard… So imo you have a valid concern about the decision making process for certain types of businesses.
If the location doesn’t matter, then sex shops will be next on the list. Kids are already on the buses showing their sex toys…
Some children are not so fortunate to come from homes with solid guidance, and healthy exchange of ideas and conversation. They are left to their own devices to maneuver the world and its streets.
As a community we should strive to show ALL of our residents (young and old) some regard for their well-being. It doesn’t mean that we take responsibility for them in the sense that some may perceive that comment. It simply means that we make decisions with some foresight, and with regard for the purity, safety, and protection of the minds and bodies of the next generation.