Robert Celt
New Member
Mark Hauk, founder of the Saskatoon Compassion Club, closed the dispensary's doors after he was charged last year with trafficking marijuana and possessing the proceeds of crime.
He told council's planning committee on Monday that the closure means many people who relied on medical marijuana are now suffering. He asked that his business be allowed to operate despite the fact that it is presently considered illegal under federal law.
The federal government has promised to legalize marijuana, but the timing of this remains unclear. Hauk asked that the city and police force to let businesses like his operate in a fuzzy legal zone in the meantime.
"That seems a crazy request, right? And I can't think of another situation that might warrant it," he told reporters after speaking to councillors. "It seems like a bold and maybe even unachievable suggestion, but I guess that's exactly what's on the table."
With marijuana legalization on the horizon, the city needs to look at medical marijuana dispensary regulations now – not in years or months, when legalization happens, Hauk argued.
"We can be smart as a city and put regulations in right now and prevent that next dispensary from popping up next to a school or prevent that next dispensary being opened by organized crime," he said. "We have that opportunity now; I'm not sure why we wouldn't take it."
City administrators told councillors at the meeting that the city should not issue business licences for illegal businesses.
"Unfortunately – nobody likes to hear this – but the federal law is the federal law," solicitor Christine Bogad told the committee.
Speaking with media after the meeting, Coun. Troy Davies said he feels sympathy for medical marijuana users who are suffering in the aftermath of Hauk's shop being closed down, but that councillors' "hands are tied."
"It's something as a councillor you don't really like to say a whole lot, but in this particular instance I think we have to be crystal clear on abiding by the law," he said.
"As soon as you start stepping outside those boundaries or looking at grey areas, it's just going to present precedents to do other things in grey areas, and that's just something that I don't think anyone on council or his worship (Mayor Don Atchison) is willing to go down that road."
Further discussion about whether the city should wade into regulating medical marijuana dispensaries is expected at council's meeting at the end of the month.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: 'Crazy Request' For Medical Marijuana Shop To Operate Illegally Falls On Deaf Ears
Author: Andrea Hill
Contact: Saskatoon Star Phoenix
Photo Credit: Chris Hondros
Website: Saskatoon Star Phoenix
He told council's planning committee on Monday that the closure means many people who relied on medical marijuana are now suffering. He asked that his business be allowed to operate despite the fact that it is presently considered illegal under federal law.
The federal government has promised to legalize marijuana, but the timing of this remains unclear. Hauk asked that the city and police force to let businesses like his operate in a fuzzy legal zone in the meantime.
"That seems a crazy request, right? And I can't think of another situation that might warrant it," he told reporters after speaking to councillors. "It seems like a bold and maybe even unachievable suggestion, but I guess that's exactly what's on the table."
With marijuana legalization on the horizon, the city needs to look at medical marijuana dispensary regulations now – not in years or months, when legalization happens, Hauk argued.
"We can be smart as a city and put regulations in right now and prevent that next dispensary from popping up next to a school or prevent that next dispensary being opened by organized crime," he said. "We have that opportunity now; I'm not sure why we wouldn't take it."
City administrators told councillors at the meeting that the city should not issue business licences for illegal businesses.
"Unfortunately – nobody likes to hear this – but the federal law is the federal law," solicitor Christine Bogad told the committee.
Speaking with media after the meeting, Coun. Troy Davies said he feels sympathy for medical marijuana users who are suffering in the aftermath of Hauk's shop being closed down, but that councillors' "hands are tied."
"It's something as a councillor you don't really like to say a whole lot, but in this particular instance I think we have to be crystal clear on abiding by the law," he said.
"As soon as you start stepping outside those boundaries or looking at grey areas, it's just going to present precedents to do other things in grey areas, and that's just something that I don't think anyone on council or his worship (Mayor Don Atchison) is willing to go down that road."
Further discussion about whether the city should wade into regulating medical marijuana dispensaries is expected at council's meeting at the end of the month.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: 'Crazy Request' For Medical Marijuana Shop To Operate Illegally Falls On Deaf Ears
Author: Andrea Hill
Contact: Saskatoon Star Phoenix
Photo Credit: Chris Hondros
Website: Saskatoon Star Phoenix
