Victoria should hold off attempting to regulate marijuana shops until it sees what the federal government is going to do, say two Victoria councillors.
Councillors Marianne Alto and Chris Coleman are suggesting council write to Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau asking for “clarification on whether and when the federal government intends to implement legalization and regulation of cannabis,” as outlined in its platform.
The two note that should the federal government create a federal/provincial/ territorial task force to design a new system of marijuana sales and distribution, as promised in campaign material, a representative from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities be included to reflect municipal concerns.
They also suggest council postpone consideration of any new regulatory regime until Feb. 19 or until the prime minister responds — whichever comes first.
The federal Liberals promised to remove Criminal Code provisions against possession and consumption of marijuana and to instead institute a federal system for sales and distribution.
Coleman and Alto say it would be “imprudent” for Victoria to draft its own regulations until the city knows what the feds have planned.
“Until we understand what the federal landscape is going to be in guiding us, it makes sense to hold back,” Coleman said.
“We were attempting to recognize the changing landscape and the battle between the Supreme Court and the former federal government. It looks as though that landscape has changed, but we don’t fully understand all the details that would come with that,” he added.
Faced with an explosion in marijuana-related businesses, Victoria council in May directed staff to develop new regulations for the shops, patterning their approach after Vancouver.
Vancouver has created a two-tiered licensing system that allows compassion clubs to pay a fee of $1,000, while for-profit pot shops must pay a $30,000 licence fee.
To qualify as a compassion club, it must be a registered nonprofit, serve members and provide a minimum level of other health services such as massage therapy or acupuncture, as well as be a member of the Canadian Association of Medical Cannabis Dispensaries.
Vancouver’s new rules also require dispensaries to be located at least 300 metres from schools, community centres and each other.
Victoria staff had intended to report back to council this week, but in a brief report to council, city clerk Chris Coates said the report has been delayed and the hope is to have it completed in two weeks.
