The RCMP’s Sunshine Coast detachment commander says he’s a bit disappointed in how long it’s taking the federal government to pass new laws on marijuana use.
Speaking at the April 20 meeting of the regional policing committee, Staff Sgt. Vishal Mathura said he was expecting the federal government’s legalization of recreational marijuana would be finalized by now – not a year from now.
“That puts not just the Sunshine Coast [RCMP], but police nationwide in a tough position,” Mathura said. “You have something that’s still illegal on the books, we’re still expected to do enforcement actions, but the government of Canada has said it will be legal.” Mathura also said judges could decide to be much more lenient in cases involving marijuana during the lead-up to implementing legalization.
“For us on the Sunshine Coast, we still will be using discretion when we’re enforcing the pertinent laws,” Mathura said.
He also noted that questions around how to regulate growing for personal use and sales are still unanswered, and RCMP are anticipating it will be a challenge to police the new rules.
Doug Wright, Sechelt council’s representative at the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD), told the committee the municipality has not had many complaints about the three dispensaries operating downtown. “In Sechelt it’s actually died down. From council’s perspective we haven’t had any complaints about odour and we haven’t had any complaints about sales.”
Gibsons has already issued business licences to three dispensaries, and the SCRD has been looking into using nuisance bylaws aimed at issues like noise and odour to regulate growers. Chair Garry Nohr told the committee he gets dozens of complaints about legal grow-ops in the Welcome Woods area of Halfmoon Bay.
