Medical marijuana dispensaries are popping up all over Toronto, much to the chagrin of Mayor John Tory, who stated that these marijuana shops are “verging on being out of control in some neighborhoods.” Although Canada is in the process of making marijuana legal, this is not expected to happen until 2017.

Toronto’s growing number of medical marijuana dispensaries are breaking the rules because legalization is not yet in place and this means they may face tens of thousands of dollars in fines, according to a city official.

The Canadian Association of Medical Cannabis Dispensaries (CAMCD) estimates there are are around 350 such store-fronts in Canada, with dozens opening in Toronto alone in the past few months. Opponents say the store-front dispensaries are technically illegal and should be closed immediately.

However, medical marijuana advocates say the answer is to introduce regulations to standardize the quality of the product they sell and the criteria for clients looking to buy it.

Mark Sraga, the city’s Director of Investigation Services for Municipal Licensing and Standards, said that the city will start to enforce legislation related to marijuana shops in the coming months.

“Our zoning by-law does not permit medical marijuana dispensaries,” Sraga said when interviewed by CBS news. “Only facilities recognized by Health Canada are legally allowed to distribute medical marijuana and must do so through a mail order courier service.”

There is a long-standing need for medical marijuana in Canada and the current laws make it very difficult for patients to obtain the marijuana they need.

A majority of Canadians are in favor of either decriminalizing or legalizing personal marijuana use, according to recent surveys, even by conservatives who have historically favored a strict drug policy. Even with a pro-punishment Conservative government in control, cities such as Vancouver have begun to adopt harm-reduction strategies that allow for a more permissive stance toward marijuana, an attitude which has gradually spread across the country. This is probably why more and more are accepting of cannabis, and why dispensaries have been opening in big cities.

Even though legalization of marijuana is on the cards in Canada, legalization interferes with several treaties Canada has signed over the years, which is impeding marijuana’s legal status.

Sources:

//www.camcd-acdcm.ca/

//www.huffingtonpost.ca/2016/04/24/surge-in-storefront-pot-dispensaries-has-caught-some-municipalities-by-surprise_n_9767746.html

//www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/tory-medical-marijuana-1.3570263