Council for the City of Grand Forks will send a letter to the federal government asking them to consider changing the law to allow the legal sale and use of medical cannabis derivatives.
The motion, which was proposed by Coun. Neil Krog, reads: “Whereas the Council for the City of Grand Forks on behalf of its citizens believe that everyone has a right to access the best medical treatment available and further that marijuana derivatives such as cannabinoid oils have been shown to have great benefit to patients that cannot use the approved smokeable product;
“Therefore be it resolved that the Council for the City of Grand Forks request the federal government to include marijuana derivatives as part of the legal medical marijuana program, and further review the legislation and options for greater local access.”
“I think that it shows that we care about the well-being of our citizens,” said Krog to council. “It is out of our bailiwick (jurisdiction), so we’re saying that they need to consider it because the Supreme Court of Canada, according to the sergeant, is looking at it now. I would like this letter to be forwarded through UBCM and AKBLG and to be given to the Supreme Court of Canada. Basically it’s saying, ‘You guys make the laws—do this as a benefit to the people.’”
All council members voted in favour except Mayor Frank Konrad who remained neutral.
“The low value of that motion because it doesn’t really involve the City of Grand Forks I tried to stay neutral because it’s a federal issue,” he said.
Council received six letters of support from residents regarding the Kootenay’s Medicine Tree. They were all received for information.
Under current legislation, the store is unable to distribute medical cannabis derivates to patients.
Medicine Tree board director Jim Leslie appeared earlier in the day at the Committee of the Whole to make a presentation urging council to support local access to medical cannabis and its derivative products. Also appearing was local RCMP Staff Sgt. Jim Harrison who told council he was obligated to investigate any complaints.
Butler voted in favour of the motion but against supporting the Medicine Tree.
“By the community charter, we’re not allowed to support one business over another,” she said. “So I could no more support the Medicine Tree than another member of the public supplying medicinal marijuana products.”