Coun. Steve Arnett and Mayor Aaron Stone were among the interested parties when US lawyer Tonia Winchester offered her perspective on the legalization of marijuana in Canada, and the role municipalities might have to play between now and then.
“Very informative and thought-provoking,” Stone texted from the annual convention of the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) where Winchester was making her remarks.
A former prosecutor, Winchester worked for a citizen coalition called New Approach Washington, that successfully carried through an initiative to legalize possession of small amounts of cannabis in Washington state.
She believes B.C. is ready for a policy shift that could influence the rest of the country. “Not to be a Yankee revolutionary,” she said, “but I do think that it’s not as clear cut that it’s a federal question only.”
In July Arnett put Ladysmith council on notice that it needs to prepare for the day when prohibitions against the use of marijuana are eased, citing developments south of the border.
He also pointed to the Liberal Party of Canada’s support of ‘smart laws’ that would end this country’s 92 year prohibition on the personal use of pot.
Arnett’s main concern was the access youth and children might gain to THC-containing substances if the laws are relaxed in Canada. He noted that even if the federal government makes the laws concerning pot, it will be up to municipalities to regulate businesses that might open up to sell it.
Research suggests frequent use of THC-containing substances by youth causes permanent damage to the developing brain, especially since the potency and concentration of THC in some ingested substances is much higher today than it used to be.
“It’s getting to kids and it’s getting to them in ways that are really concerning,” Arnett, who is a social worker, told council in July.
Winchester told delegates to the UBCM conference that municipalities can look to Vancouver as an example of directions they might want to take now and moving into the future.
“I do think there is room for federal municipalities to take action, similar to what Vancouver has done, to create regulation to support what is already happening in reality,” she said.
The UBCM called for the decriminalization of marijuana in 2012, and the City of Vancouver has been defying federal marijuana laws by creating its own regulations for illegal ‘medical pot dispensaries.’
Because cities like Vancouver have their own police forces, they are better positioned to implement their own regulations for businesses that sell marijuana.
She said they realize “we can no longer afford to have these policies in place,” and added: “What we’re doing isn’t really working.”
Vancouver is the first city in Canada to regulate illegal marijuana dispensaries. Operators must pay a $30,000 licensing fee and locate at least 300 metres from community centres and schools.
