Saskatoon man opens city's first medical marijuana dispensary

A newmedical marijuana dispensary will open its doorstoday on Second Avenue. The man behind the dispensary,MarkHauk, will also be in front of council to ask for the city to regulate the industry.

Haukis with the Saskatchewan Compassion Club, an organization that describes itself as assisting people in medical need to get a prescription for marijuana and to find a safe and quality supply of the drug.

Hauk said the current rules on medical marijuana aren't working.

"The federal system right now, is causing sick and dying people in our community to needlessly suffer," he said

• Saskatoon medical marijuana advocate asks city hall for dispensary regulations

Says wait times and prices are a factor

Hauk said buying from a licensed producer can be too high for some people, especially if they are in need of a stronger prescription or if they're asked to buy in bulk. He said some people are asked to pay $500 in advance for their prescribed marijuana.

People who live in rural areas, he noted,have told himthey have to wait too long for packages to arrive.

Hauk added that some licensed producers run out of supply. Another issue involves the form of the drug.

In June,the Supreme Court of Canada unanimouslyexpandedthe definition of medical marijuana beyond the"dried" form.ButHauksaid those products, such as ingestible oils,are not yet available from licensed producers.

Following Vancouver's lead

Haukwants the city to follow Vancouver's direction when it comes to dispensaries.

Under the Vancouverbylaw, retail dealers arecharged a $30,000 licence fee. They are also banned from operating within 300 metres of community centres, schools and other pot shops.

Federal Health Minister Rona Ambrose opposed the bylaw and said she was concerned the move wouldincrease marijuana use and addiction.

• Marijuana dispensary regulations approved in Vancouver

Haukwill also be asking for a business licence to operate.

"We're obviously attempting to take every step we possibly can to engage the police and the city and everybody else, and get them on board with what it is we're doing and help them understand why," said Hauk.