WATCH ABOVE: Should medical marijuana dispensaries be regulated and allowed in Edmonton? One group took its perspective to city hall Wednesday. Vinesh Pratap reports.
EDMONTON – A local society is pushing the City of Edmonton and the Alberta government to establish regulations that would allow for the legal sale of medicinal marijuana.
Members of Macros – the Mobile Access Compassionate Resources Organization Society – held a rally outside city hall Wednesday morning.
“We’re here to talk to Don Iveson, to tell him that he’s turning his back on people that need this medicine,” said Aaron Bott, Macros president.
“We’ve been here 11 years and we’ve had no chance to have any regulations at all. We’re here to see if Don Iveson, Mayor Don Iveson, can get us regulations.”
READ MORE: Clients upset after police raid Edmonton marijuana dispensary
In July, police raided a marijuana dispensary run by Marcos. Robert Syre, Janice Syre and their son Aaron Bott are now facing numerous charges including possession and trafficking.
The non-profit group sold medicinal marijuana to people who had a prescription.
The couple is taking the matter to court, arguing it was providing a necessary service for people who need medicinal marijuana.
“Any time law enforcement detracts from a person’s ability to access their own medicine, that is a violation of the constitution, and that’s what we’re here today,” said Robert Syre.
“It’s a necessity service. It covers a lot of people that the government does not cover in their program,” added Janice Syre.
READ MORE: Medical marijuana comes to Alberta as Health Canada grants grow licence
It’s illegal to operate a dispensary in Canada.
However, in some communities police have looked the other way. Earlier this year, Vancouver city council voted to regulate dispensaries despite being illegal under federal law. Dispensaries in Vancouver must now pay licensing fees and abide by zoning rules.
The City of Edmonton said there are no plans to take similar measures.
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