The City of Saskatoon voted against issuing business licenses to medical cannabis dispensaries in the city, a disappointing move for the city’s cannabis community.
In a Monday morning meeting on the issue, city officials decided that cannabis is under federal jurisdiction and dispensaries won’t be sanctioned without Ottawa’s approval.
“The law is the law and that’s just the way it is,” said city councillor Troy Davies. “As soon as you start stepping outside of those boundaries or looking grey areas it’s going to set precedence to do other things in grey areas.”
Raided Saskatchewan Compassion Club operator Mark Hauk, who spoke at the meeting, said he was frustrated by the city’s decision that leaves scores of patients unable to reasonably access their medication.
“To sit and listen to these officials openly and readily admit that they understand many are suffering, but aren’t willing to do anything about it, is nothing short of infuriating,” said Hauk, on Facebook. “This is far from over.”
Hauk said he’s organizing another group of medical patients to speak at an upcoming city council meeting where the decision could be ratified.