Representatives from the newly-formed Nanaimo Cannabis Coalition will be addressing City Council tonight about the deadline Nanaimo RCMP recently gave marijuana dispensaries.
Nanaimo RCMP circulated letters to ten dispensaries last week, saying they’re violating drug laws and operating outside Health Canada rules. The letter gave the dispensaries one week to close, or risk being shut down.
Coalition spokesperson Akil Pessoa says they’re trying to get some answers about what prompted the move.
Pessoa questions the timing of the threatened crackdown, especially given the Liberal government’s plans to legalize and regulate marijuana. He says Coalition members are keen to hear from Nanaimo Councillors on the issue.
Meanwhile, City Staff have been working on a report on whether Nanaimo could license and regulate dispensaries, similar to the approach Vancouver has taken. That report has yet to come to Council.
