National

Vancouver Should Shut Down Pot Shops, Not Regulate Them: Health Minister Says In Surrey

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 24 Apr, 2015 12:24 PM

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.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Vancouver Neighbourhood Shocked By 17 Maples Illegally Chopped In Midnight Hours

VANCOUVER — A Vancouver park board official says the board will seek the maximum penalty if police manage to root out the person who chopping down 17 maple trees in a quiet residential neighbourhood.

Vancouver Neighbourhood Shocked By 17 Maples Illegally Chopped In Midnight Hours

One year later, Quebec town gathers to remember 32 lives lost and look to future

MONTREAL — Asked to describe the last year of his life, Arnaud Cote pauses on the other end of the line, measuring his response.

One year later, Quebec town gathers to remember 32 lives lost and look to future

Gates sees Canada as partner in putting women at top of world aid agenda

OTTAWA — Last year, the billionaire philanthropist Melinda Gates and her daughter spent two days living at a family farm in Tanzania with twin 13-year-old siblings, a brother and sister, and their parents.

Gates sees Canada as partner in putting women at top of world aid agenda

Baloney Meter: Is the U.S. going to need 'less and less' Canadian oil?

OTTAWA — "It is a matter of urgent national interest that we move our oil to tidewater because our only customer, the U.S., has found vast amounts of shale oil and gas and will need us less and less. If we do not access new markets, our resources will be stranded and a huge opportunity will be lost." — Finance Minister Joe Oliver.