A debate to review the current regulations around marijuana dispensaries in Toronto was deferred by the city’s Licensing & Standards Committee Monday, days after police raided four more storefronts in the downtown core.
Committee members were expected to review regulations governing medical marijuana use and the proximity of dispensaries to schools, educational and childcare facilities.
Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti initiated the deferral, which was approved despite opposition from the crowd in attendance — who were scheduled to make depositions.
READ MORE: Marijuana dispensary reopens day after being shut down in Toronto police raids
“The federal government is pawning it on municipalities and how dare they do that. Trudeau should not sit on his hands on this, he’s the one who made the suggestions and he’s the one that should be dealing with it.”
Marijuana activist and owner of the Cannabis Culture chain of dispensaries Marc Emery said Toronto residents should be more accepting of dispensaries throughout the city.
“I don’t think judges want to hear these cases, I think they’re fed up,” he said of the charges against dispensary employees and owners.
“This is all futile what the city is doing right now in attacking these dispensaries.”
READ MORE: Police raid more Toronto marijuana dispensaries a month after major crackdown
Councillor Jim Karygiannis said the deferral of the review led to a “slap in the face” of medical marijuana patients, who were vocal in their frustration Monday.
“I feel disgusted. I’m not even sure what to say. It’s like we don’t even matter,” said medical marijuana patient Jesse Beardsworth, who suffers from complex regional pain syndrome.
“I’m not like most people. I actually would wish my illness upon them so they know what it’s like to live like this. So they understand why it’s so important.”
WATCH: Marc Emery vows to fight laws, reopens marijuana dispensary day after police raids
Brandy Zurborg, a patient advocate and dispensary owner, said the city’s decision to target dispensaries has left patients without other options.
“Where are they leaving us all? Sick, injured, ill — back to your doctor to get you more ill,” she said.
“You have this opportunity to bring it out from underground. … They’re not sick, so what do they care? It’s just a sham, an absolute sham.”
READ MORE: Toronto police raid marijuana dispensaries across the city
The meeting follows a string of raids linked to the proliferation of marijuana dispensaries in neighbourhoods across the city.
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Toronto police executed four search warrants and made 23 arrests in connection with several raids Thursday.
This comes just weeks after authorities raided 43 locations and arrested 90 people in May, including shop owners and employees.
READ MORE: 90 arrests, 257 charges laid in Toronto marijuana dispensary raids
A coalition of marijuana dispensaries have said the raids on the pot shops were a “major mistake” and have called for charges to be dropped against those arrested.
The raids come after the federal Liberal government pledged to work toward legislation on marijuana legalization in Canada next spring.
The matter is now being brought back to staff for further review and will be presented to committee in October.
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