SURREY, B.C. — Health Minister Rona Ambrose says the City of Vancouver should consider shutting down illegal marijuana dispensaries, rather than regulating them.
Ambrose told reporters at an unrelated event in Surrey, B.C., that the city must "re-think" its plans to discuss regulating medicinal pot shops at an upcoming council meeting.
Her comments came a day after she sent a strongly worded letter to Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson warning that "normalizing" marijuana will increase use and addiction, especially among youth.
City staff will present a report to council on Tuesday recommending the regulation of the flourishing medical pot industry, enforcing a $30,000 licensing fee and requiring the shops to be at least 300 metres from schools.
Councillor Kerry Jang has said the federal government's restrictive medical marijuana laws forced the city to step in and that the new rules are specifically designed to prevent exposure to kids.
Ambrose wouldn't say what her government is prepared to do if Vancouver goes ahead with the new regulations.
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