Lawyer Kirk Tousaw will be a panelist at the Georgia Straight's upcoming event, Grassroots: An Expo for the Cannabis Curious on April 7 and 8, 2018. Get your tickets now.)
B.C. rules for recreational cannabis forbid sales alongside liquor and suggest Vancouver dispensaries can remain open
For many years, B.C. lawyer Kirk Tousaw has been on the leading edge of cannabis legalization.
He was part of the legal team that won a landmark Supreme Court of Canada decision on edibles, as well as an important Federal Court ruling on growing medical cannabis.
So when Tousaw speaks on these issues, people listen to what he says.
Today, he issued a tweetstorm in response to the B.C. government's newly unveiled rules around the selling of cannabis.
"I think it is very positive that existing dispensary operators will not be automatically prevented from being licensed," Tousaw wrote. "It will be case by case."
He advised dispensary owners to "get your operations in shape if you've been slacking".
"Pay any back taxes, get your records into shape, etc.," he emphasized.
Tousaw also pointed out that liquor licensees won't automatically receive a cannabis licence.
Licensed producers will face restrictions on owning retail stores, but those with an interest in LPs can apply. However, they won't be allowed to sell the LP's product because no "tied selling" will be permitted.
There also won't be any requirements for specified distances between stores.
It was unclear to Tousaw whether craft producers can sell directly to consumers at the farm.
"Seems clear that you won't be able to have samples or on-site use like at vineyards and craft breweries," he stated. "This is a shame—no good reason to treat cannabis more restrictively than alcohol in the respect."
KirkTousaw
@KirkTousaw
· 5 Feb
I'm going to take a quick read through the BC retail cannabis licensing guide and post my first impressions. https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/Cannabis_Private_Retail_Licensing_Guide.pdf …
KirkTousaw
@KirkTousaw
Decisions on background checks/criminal records to be made on a case by case basis. Page 2.
4:37 PM - Feb 5, 2018
Twitter Ads info and privacy
KirkTousaw
@KirkTousaw
· 5 Feb
Replying to @KirkTousaw
Online application portal opens Spring 2018. People are encourage to apply early. There will be a fee. Having operated an illegal dispensary will NOT automatically prohibit you from licensing (very very good news). P3.
KirkTousaw
@KirkTousaw
Liquor licensees do not get automatic cannabis licence. People with interests in federal LPs can also apply. However, there will be restrictions on LPs owning retail stores - they can have interests but then can't sell the LPs product. No tied houses. I did not expect that. P4
4:41 PM - Feb 5, 2018
Twitter Ads info and privacy
KirkTousaw
@KirkTousaw
· 5 Feb
Replying to @KirkTousaw
Local governments will have to require public input for licensees. Province is working with UBCM to develop application process. P5.
KirkTousaw
@KirkTousaw
B.C. rules for recreational cannabis forbid sales alongside liquor and suggest Vancouver dispensaries can remain open
For many years, B.C. lawyer Kirk Tousaw has been on the leading edge of cannabis legalization.
He was part of the legal team that won a landmark Supreme Court of Canada decision on edibles, as well as an important Federal Court ruling on growing medical cannabis.
So when Tousaw speaks on these issues, people listen to what he says.
Today, he issued a tweetstorm in response to the B.C. government's newly unveiled rules around the selling of cannabis.
"I think it is very positive that existing dispensary operators will not be automatically prevented from being licensed," Tousaw wrote. "It will be case by case."
He advised dispensary owners to "get your operations in shape if you've been slacking".
"Pay any back taxes, get your records into shape, etc.," he emphasized.
Tousaw also pointed out that liquor licensees won't automatically receive a cannabis licence.
Licensed producers will face restrictions on owning retail stores, but those with an interest in LPs can apply. However, they won't be allowed to sell the LP's product because no "tied selling" will be permitted.
There also won't be any requirements for specified distances between stores.
It was unclear to Tousaw whether craft producers can sell directly to consumers at the farm.
"Seems clear that you won't be able to have samples or on-site use like at vineyards and craft breweries," he stated. "This is a shame—no good reason to treat cannabis more restrictively than alcohol in the respect."
KirkTousaw
@KirkTousaw· 5 Feb
I'm going to take a quick read through the BC retail cannabis licensing guide and post my first impressions. https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/Cannabis_Private_Retail_Licensing_Guide.pdf …
KirkTousaw
@KirkTousawDecisions on background checks/criminal records to be made on a case by case basis. Page 2.
4:37 PM - Feb 5, 2018
Twitter Ads info and privacy
KirkTousaw
@KirkTousaw· 5 Feb
Replying to @KirkTousaw
Online application portal opens Spring 2018. People are encourage to apply early. There will be a fee. Having operated an illegal dispensary will NOT automatically prohibit you from licensing (very very good news). P3.
KirkTousaw
@KirkTousawLiquor licensees do not get automatic cannabis licence. People with interests in federal LPs can also apply. However, there will be restrictions on LPs owning retail stores - they can have interests but then can't sell the LPs product. No tied houses. I did not expect that. P4
4:41 PM - Feb 5, 2018
Twitter Ads info and privacy
KirkTousaw
@KirkTousaw· 5 Feb
Replying to @KirkTousaw
Local governments will have to require public input for licensees. Province is working with UBCM to develop application process. P5.
KirkTousaw
@KirkTousaw
