Harbour City dispensaries, much like Nanaimo RCMP, City of and Regional District of Nanaimo, are preparing for marijuana legalization coming into effect Oct. 17.
The Canadian government’s Cannabis Act, which received royal assent June 21, will legalize recreational cannabis and set guidelines for how it is cultivated, supplied and sold. In B.C., the provincial government will be responsible for licensing, with municipalities providing input and responsible for zoning. Adults will be allowed a maximum of 30 grams of dried cannabis and the federal act allows for up to four plants to be grown per residence.
The Globe Dispensary in downtown Nanaimo has existed in a legal grey area, according to Matt O’Donnell, Globe spokesman, but it has been following the legalization process closely. It is in the process of applying for licence and is adapting its business practices to come in line with various regulations.
“For example, here at the Globe, we’re kind of known throughout the town as being the ‘dab bar’ where it’s a vapour lounge where people are able to use it as an inhalation space,” said O’Donnell. “Unfortunately, with the new regulations, they will not be permitted at this current time, so that’s one thing this particular business is in the process of adjusting now, so once October comes, there won’t be any dab bars anywhere, that’s unfortunate.”
Marijuana edible retail sales will eventually be allowed, but the Canadian government estimates it will be up to 12 months after the act comes into effect. As such, edibles are being phased out for the time being, said O’Donnell.
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While there is an adjoining restaurant (The Globe Grill), that will have to change should licence be granted, said O’Donnell. Provincial regulations dictate that a licence holders’ business may not be associated with another businesses, with the exception of another licenced non-medical cannabis retail store. The Globe’s board is looking into other options, but O’Donnell said there is little wiggle room from the government.
“Essentially what the Globe’s position is, we are going to conform to all required regulations,” said O’Donnell. “The fact of the matter is that people are still going to want cannabis. It’s going to create a lot of issues in the sense … it’s going to allow for a black market to thrive, but at the same time, as far as the Globe goes, we’re bascially slowly making the changes now. We’re trying to educate our customers as well, as we go, so there’s no culture shock, but we’re in it for the long term.”
The District of Lantzville’s bylaws don’t allow for dispensaries anywhere, according to Coun. Bob Colclough, also an RDN director.
“It’s not allowed as a home-based business, so that would restrict it just to being within the village core where the commercial properties are,” said Colclough. “But our [official community plan] states that a dispensary can’t be within 500 metres of an elementary school and our elementary school’s in the middle of the village, so if you circle around the school, you can’t put one in the village either.”
Colclough doubts any amendments are coming in the foreseeable future. He said someone inquired about opening a dispensary in Lantzville about a year ago and the public response was very negative, prompting the person to look elsewhere.
“I don’t think there’s any appetite for change,” said Colclough.
The RDN passed a marijuana retail licence policy, applicable to electoral areas, in May. Retail stores should be 300 metres away from areas such as schools, daycares and community centres, according to the policy and the RDN will hold a public hearing related to any application.
Staff Sgt. Tania Vaughn, spokeswoman with the RCMP’s national headquarters, said the Impaired Driving Act also received royal assent June 21 and the RCMP is preparing for legalization too.
In an e-mail, Vaughn said the RCMP plans to increase its capacity in the areas of prevention and engagement, intelligence, training, systems modifications and data collection, security screening, operational policy, and to provide subject-matter expertise to RCMP officers and law enforcement partners on the implementation of the Cannabis Act.
The RCMP is also “updating and expanding training to detect drug impaired drivers though enhanced standardized field sobriety test training and increasing the number of drug recognition enforcement officers,” Vaughn said.
In a statement, the Department of Justice Canada said that a 30-day comment period on a “roadside oral fluid drug screener” for THC (cannabinoid) detection concluded Aug. 18. Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould will now consider the comments and make a final decision on whether to approve it.
Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools will have continuing conversations with local and provincial partners related to marijuana legalization, said Dale Burgos, school district spokesman.
“The use of marijuana will be covered by the district’s alcohol and drug use guidelines,” Burgos said in an e-mail. “There are no plans to update any board policies or procedures at this time.”
The City of Nanaimo gave two readings to a marijuana zoning amendment bylaw on Aug. 13, which calls for at least 150 metres between a cannabis retail stores and a school or licensed daycare and 300 metres between the front doors of separate outlets.
A hearing related to the bylaw is set for Sept. 6 at the Shaw Auditorium at 7 p.m.
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