CHRISTMAS THOUGHTS FROM OUR READERS
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In today’s edition of KTW, and continuing in the Friday paper, we present Christmas stories and drawings mixed in among the news. We hope you enjoy our annual nod to our loyal readers, young and old alike.
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KAMLOOPS THIS WEEK THURSDAY
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DECEMBER 21, 2017 | Volume 30 No. 152
New bylaw targets pot dispensaries
CHRISTMAS IN OUR TOWN
Westmount elementary Grade 5 student Tyson Berglund joined fellow classmates recently in presenting the Roger Emerson musical December in Our Town. The multicultural celebration of the season sought to celebrate the wonder, joy and diversity of the month of December. The story follows a group of young people who, while collecting canned goods for a food bank, discover holiday traditions of other cultures, adding to their understanding each other.
ANDREA KLASSEN
STAFF REPORTER
andrea@kamloopsthisweek.com
Despite vocal opposition from the city’s marijuana users and dispensary owners, Kamloops council on Tuesday night approved a package of regulations aimed at stores selling the drug. But those who argued in favour of letting dispensaries stay open may still see their hopes realized after council also directed staff to look at options to offer temporary-use permits to stores operating without incident. Council voted 7-1 in favour of creating a new zoning definition for the retail sale of marijuana. Council also voted 5-3 to up the maximum daily fine to $10,000 for operating without a business licence (which the city will not issue to dispensaries before marijuana is legalized next summer) and create a new business licence for commercial landlords, who must ensure tenants are operating with proper licensing. On the new zoning definitions, only Coun. Denis Walsh was opposed. On the remaining changes, Mayor Ken Christian and councillors Tina Lange, Ray Dhaliwal, Donovan Cavers and Dieter Dudy were in favour and councillors Arjun Singh, Denis Walsh and Kathy Sinclair were opposed. Coun. Pat Wallace was absent. Singh and Sinclair both argued the city should look at a model that would enable dispensaries that have long operated in the city without
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complaint to remain open, while still allowing the city to deny permits to stores that have been the subject of numerous neighbourhood complaints. Councillors voted 6-2 to have staff bring back more information on offering temporary-use permits to dispensaries, with councillors Dhaliwal and Lange opposed. The suggestion that council look to offer dispensaries some form of legitimization came early and often in the four-hour public hearing at Sandman Centre. Kevin Adams, owner of Victoria Street dispensary Okanagan Cannabinoid Therapy, suggested the city look at a model working its way through Vernon city council. Adams said Vernon is looking at offering dispensaries temporary-use permits until next July — when the federal government expects to legalize pot — with a special requirement worked into the language. If a business is ultimately in contravention of city zoning rules concerning marijuana sellers, it will be required to find a more suitable location on its own dime or close. Adams said if Kamloops simply goes after dispensaries for operating without licences, it will likely face court costs from a number of operators, who will argue it is restricting access to medical marijuana. “There will be constitutional challenges,” Adams said. See KAMLOOPS MAYOR, A14
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