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Another medical marijuana dispensary interested
By Brenda Babinski/e-KNOW
Less than one month after City of Kimberley council agreed to bend their own bylaws and issue a business license to Tamarack Dispensary, a medical marijuana dispensary now operating in Marysville, council has been presented with the intention by yet another business specializing in pharmaceutical weed.
Don Schultz from Greenline Academy July 20 presented on behalf of the company doing business as Kimberley Botanicals, the intention for the business to set up shop in Kimberley in the near future. While no formal applications have been made, Schultz presented council with the information that Kimberley Botanicals is hoping to acquire lease space soon and would be applying for a business license to operate a medical marijuana store front operation.
On June 22, council was unanimous in voting to allow Tamarack Dispensary to be issued a valid Business License and when asked if this move potentially set a precedent which would attract more of the same types of business Mayor Don McCormick stated, “From a business point of view, any new proponents need to consider the size of this market and match that with their business model. This would include operating competitors. Committing to a storefront and leaseholds for legitimate/quality retailers is not cheap. So there needs to be a good business model. This could include mail order, which would expand the market for new businesses. The city cannot be seen to limit the number or type of businesses that want to set up shop in town; each will rise or fall in the market based on their own merits.”
However, because medical marijuana dispensaries are not recognized by Health Canada and operate outside of the law, Mayor McCormick further stated: “Until medical marijuana dispensaries stop operating in the grey zone, we need to be cautious. It is also breaking new ground for us, so moving in a more cautious manner makes good sense. I would like to see us gain some experience with the current dispensary before jumping too far ahead.”
While erring on the side of caution, McCormick is optimistic about the potential for an expanded medically-based tourism. “The concept of a medical tourism is a very interesting one.” Said McCormick, “we have discussed this concept for a while now, an eating disorder clinic for example. We also have naturopathic medicine in Kimberley, and are discussing alternate medicine options for the third floor of the old hospital, now the medical clinic. So medical tourism based on alternative medicine is an emerging strategy, and medical cannabis would definitely fit.”
The company doing business as Kimberley Botanicals plans to carry oils, creams, salves and dried product. The central theme of their presentation to council focused on their plan to maintain public health and safety, including product testing, building and product security and maintaining sales only to those with medical referrals. Kimberley Botanicals has not yet secured a location for operation.
