Weeding Them Out

City council strives to close hundreds of marijuana-related businesses

Over the past two years, the number of “marijuana-related business” in Vancouver has grown by over 200 per cent, according to Vancouver City Council. That, and a lack of strict regulations, has led them to enforce a new set of policies in an attempt to reduce the number of dispensaries and smoke shops in the city.

The requirements of the amended Zoning and Development Bylaw are listed on a twenty-five-page document released on June 24. It states that all businesses related to medical marijuana must operate in commercial zones, at least 300 metres away from schools, community centres, neighbourhood houses, youth facilities that serve vulnerable youth, and other marijuana-related businesses. Further, they must have a business license (unless they want to receive a hefty fine), a developmental permit, and a signed good neighbour agreement.

“And anyone with a criminal record is not allowed to own or work for a dispensary,” says an anonymous dispensary employee. “It’s a really good industry though,” the employee continues. “It just has to be monitored properly.”

Others, who operate and buy from the businesses being shut down, disagree. Several long-standing storefronts have been ordered to close shop and been threatened with fines, court injunctions, and police involvement if they do not comply. Some feel that the regulations are unrealistic, particularly the deadlines and penalties associated with meeting them.

All functioning dispensaries and smoke shops were required to file applications agreeing to the conditions before Aug. 21, 2015. Failing to submit an application or being found guilty of misconduct could result in written warnings, fines, or closure. As of Oct. 26, the city received 176 applications. Only 16 have moved onto the second stage of licensing.

In response to the backlash, the city has claimed that Vancouver only needs 20 dispensaries to meet the needs of its citizens. Considering that there are several hundreds currently open on the streets every day, it is a comparatively low number. The primary means of reaching that goal have been closing operations that failed to present a valid license, causing a surplus of customers at the remaining locations. According to the owner of the BC Pain Society, it could have been too much for them to handle, resulting in understaffed stores struggling to maintain store upkeep and quality service.

It also would have led to an enormous increase in profits for the city-approved businesses, but as of Feb. 24, the licensing law has been ruled unconstitutional for violating liberty and security interests. As a result, unlicensed growing operations can continue to sell to customers and dispensaries can keep their long-term suppliers.

Pro-cannabis activists are pressuring the capital and Prime Minister Trudeau to refuse the entire document in exchange for “a legalized regulatory environment similar to that for alcohol,” according to lawyer John Conroy. However, the city has yet to revise the list of regulations on their website.

Editor’s note: This article previously contained incorrect information about Eden Medicinal Society, which has since been removed. The Runner regrets the error and a retraction will be included in our next print edition.