Two Vancouver dispensaries forgo doctor’s notes

You no longer require a medical reason to buy

The end of cannabis prohibition nation-wide is coming to Canada at a snail’s pace, but two Vancouver dispensaries are no longer waiting for the feds’ go ahead. Whether using for medical reasons are just looking to enjoy a lazy afternoon, anyone over 18 can now acquire marihuana at Dana Larsen’s Vancouver Dispensary Society with or without a doctor’s note.

“I still see what we’re doing as a medical cannabis dispensary. A non-prescription medical cannabis dispensary,” says Dana Larsen, who, in Addition to co-owning the two Vancouver Dispensary Society locations, heads pro-cannabis advocacy group Sensible BC.

Tokers familiar with buying from the black market will find a whole new world stepping into the semi-legitimate pot shops. The West End location operates out of a quaint little house just off of Thurlow and Davie. Inside, patrons will be ID’d at the front desk only to verify age before being led to the back to see the stores leafy wears.

Surprisingly, Larsen and co. don’t consider the lack of a doctor’s note requirement to be in violation of the city’s bylaws which regulate marijuana dispensaries. The bylaws give no definition of what constitutes a valid prescription, leaving dispensaries to decide for themselves what is valid, often using the opinion of naturopaths.

“Nowhere in any any of those bylaws or rules does it say you must only sell to people who have a doctor’s recommendation or a medical need.”

It remains to be seen if the VPD will see things the same way. Vancouver Dispensary Society’s Hastings location was served notice to shut down in the city’s most recent round of injunctions due to its proximity to a community centre. Larsen remains confident that the Thurow location will receive its business licence. For now at least both locations will remain open to any adult looking for some of the green stuff.