As cannabis dispensaries continue to sweep the country, the town of Oliver is preparing for medical cannabis being legally available.
On Monday, the council heard from Grant Bruce, a medical cannabis supporter and former dispensary operator. Bruce suffers from epilepsy, and testified as to how much cannabis has helped to treat his condition. He also said that his main goal is to help medicinal patients find cannabis as a way to treat their conditions. “My intention is to give people in the community safe, secure access to their medicine,” he said. Bruce was the operator of Star Buds Canada located in Osoyoos, which was shut down recently by the province.
Bruce also noted the fact that Squamish had recently passed a bylaw allowing cannabis, and that the town of Oliver should consider following suite.
Ron Hovanes, mayor of Oliver, says that he understands the need for access to medical cannabis but he can’t look past illegality of it on a federal level. “We’re still waiting for the (federal) government to come up with the parameters,” the mayor said.
Mayor Hovanes has asked for a report on the matter including information on how other provinces and municipalities have been handling medical cannabis and dispensaries.