Town council is looking into the medical marijuana issue after Monday’s presentation by a local activist. File photo
The Town of Oliver is bracing for the potential reality of medical marijuana access being available in the community.
That reality came to light after a presentation to council on Monday by medicinal marijuana supporter Grant Bruce.
The man, who uses cannabis to treat his epilepsy, had operated Star Buds Canada in Osoyoos before the municipality shut it down for not having a business licence.
Bruce told members of Oliver council that his goal is to provide an access centre (not a dispensary) for people in need of marijuana for medical purposes. He referred this outlet as the South Okanagan Medical Access Centre.
Bruce informed council that the town of Squamish had passed a medical marijuana dispensary zoning bylaw, which he encouraged Oliver to look into. He stated this would eliminate people obtaining their medicinal marijuana through the “black market.”
Bruce noted the deadly drug fentanyl has been found in marijuana. “If you have people in the community smoking fentanyl they will die.”
He advised council to ensure it has the proper bylaws in place and warned the Town to be wary of “fly-by-night” operators.
“My intention is to give people in the community safe, secure access to their medicine.”
Bruce said he will not allow people in his facility without proper documentation or confirmation of illness.
Providing this access to medicine is “so crucial,” he reiterated.
Following his presentation, Bruce declined to answer questions from the Chronicle.
Mayor Ron Hovanes said he understands the value of having access to medical marijuana, but raised concerns about its legality.
“We’re still waiting for the (federal) government to come up with the parameters,” he stated.
According to Corporate Officer Diane Vaykovich, the Town has not received an application from anyone wanting to establish a medicinal marijuana dispensary here.
Councillor Larry Schwartzenberger said it is his understanding that the Town has a bylaw that doesn’t give licences to operations that contravene the Criminal Code.
Fellow Councillor Petra Veintimilla said the Town can and should “prepare for what’s coming” in terms of applications.
Hovanes asked Town staff to bring back a report on the issue, with information on municipalities where dispensaries have been established.
By Lyonel Doherty
