Alan Nixon Blogpost re Bylaw to prevent Marijuana Dispensary in Deep Cove

Last night your District Council met to give second and third readings to a Bylaw that would prevent a medical marijuana dispensary opening anywhere in the District of North Vancouver until such time as this type of establishment can become formally regulated under Health Canada rules and regulations. The final vote to actually adopt the Bylaw Amendment will take place on June 27th at the regular council meeting.

In my 9 years on council I have never received such an outpouring of opposition from families and individuals living in close proximity to an intended use. Only three other issues seem to have come close: a liquor store in Edgemont Village, potential closing of Mt. Fromme to Mountain Biking and issues around Dog Walking on District Trails.

We heard many, many compelling, heart-wrenching  stories of patients suffering from chronic pain, nausea from chemo-therapy or Radiation treatments, Grand Mal Epileptic seizures, etc. We could not help but be moved by these stories! We would all have to be made of stone to not feel some empathy for the relief that these patients have received as a result of using cannabis in its many forms!

However, at the end of the day your council expressed its view that the establishment in the proposed location and for that matter anywhere in the District of North Vancouver of a Not-for-profit ?Compassion Club? would not be an appropriate land use. Determining appropriate Land Use criteria is, after all, one of the significant tools held by a municipality with which it can influence the quality of life of its citizens.

I also expressed the view that the manner in which the proposed operator of the dispensary went about stirring up the public and fanning the flames of community dissent were totally inappropriate. One does not threaten to open a business without the necessary permits and licenses being in place. One does not threaten to undermine the authority of the District of North Vancouver by flagrantly defying the Rule of Law as it exists within our Bylaws!

We also heard not-so-veiled threats that councilors who voted in favour of prohibiting this business would be targeted in the upcoming November elections and would face a major backlash from the users of Medical Marijuana as dispensed illegally through "Compassion Clubs". I say to those people "Bring it On!" This council and I, in particular, will not be intimidated by such threats!

Our council recognizes that it can perhaps play a role in advocating to the federal government that it examine its policies, rules and regulations around the medical use of cannabis to enable easier and quicker and ?legal? access to this substance that seems to provide relief to so many sufferers in and outside our community.

The final amendment reads as follows:

The District of North Vancouver Zoning Bylaw 3210, 1965 is amended as follows:

a. Amending Part 4 General Regulations by adding a new subsection immediately

following subsection in Section 403A Uses Prohibited in All Zones, as follows:

• the sale, distribution, trade or dispensing of cannabis and its preparations,

derivatives and similar synthetic preparations, except as authorized under the

Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, Marihuana Medical Access Regulations and

any other applicable federal legislation.