Vancouver is moving forward with regulating the city’s medical marijuana industry, issuing its first license to an MMJ dispensary.
A spokesperson for the Western Canadian seaport told the Globe and Mail the Wealth Shop was issued a license to operate near the University of British Columbia.
Vancouver became the country’s first city last year to issue rules governing MMJ dispensaries, which are illegal under federal law. It balked at issuing licenses to about about 140 dispensaries because of rule violations, such as locating too close to a school.
The city recently began a crackdown on unlicensed dispensaries.
Vancouver is expected to grant several more licenses in coming weeks, the Globe & Mail reported. Two shops are awaiting final clearance, while a dozen applicants are proceeding through the licensing process.
Separately, the Globe and Mail reported that cannabis entrepreneurs in Toronto are vowing to fight fines proposed by the city’s major. The fines could prove costly for Toronto dispensaries, with maximum penalties amounting to $50,000 for a corporation or $25,000 for individuals.
