Powell River RCMP and city officials are keeping their eyes on the city’s third medical-marijuana dispensary.
West Coast Medicinal Dispensary opened its Marine Avenue storefront on Wednesday, December 7, at the former location of the Jailhouse Cafe.
With shades drawn over its front windows, a neon open sign flashes and, on the sidewalk out front, a sandwich board advertises an on-staff doctor for consultations.
RCMP staff sergeant Rod Wiebe said police continue to treat all Powell River dispensaries in the same regard.
“Our position on all dispensaries operating in town is that they are illegal and we will investigate accordingly,” said Wiebe. “I cannot comment on ongoing investigations.”
Across the country, dispensaries have opened up in advance of expected changes to federal law to make cannabis legal for medical and recreational use.
Two other dispensaries are currently operating in Powell River, WeeMedical Dispensary Society on Marine Avenue and Grassroots Botanicals Wellness Cooperative on Willingdon Avenue.
WeeMedical opened its storefront in April, while Grassroots has been open since January 2015. Last May, WeeMedical was raided by police and contents of the shop were seized by authorities.
City of Powell River director of planning services Thomas Knight said the city has been watching as West Coast Medicinal Dispensary has been renovating its space in preparation for opening.
The dispensary’s owners have yet to apply for a city business licence to open a storefront, said Knight. The city’s building inspector is keeping an eye on any renovations that would require a permit, he added.
Knight oversees issuing of both types of permits under delegated authority from city council.
“At the end of the day, the city still won’t issue a business licence because we can’t be endorsing something that is still technically illegal,” said Knight. “Even though we’re aware there are several [dispensaries in the city], we’re not going to allow validation of their businesses by issuing business licences.”
The city has hired land-use planning consultant Odete Pinho to help the planning department draft a report on possible amendments to city bylaws that would regulate the storefronts, similar to those undertaken in other cities in the province.
Knight said his department has the budget to perform amendments that would regulate the dispensaries.
“We’re just waiting,” said Knight, “to get the go-ahead to do it from the chief administrative officer.”
