Penticton council continues to deal with marijuana dispensaries

PENTICTON – Council continues to deal with medical marijuana dispensary permits after two operators already denied a license continue to operate.

Jukka Laurio reapplied for non-profit registration on behalf of the Association for Medical Marijuana Awareness on Dec. 19 after being denied a temporary use permit for his Herbal Greens dispensary on Dec. 6.

Laurio continues to operate the Herbal Greens business in spite of his permit being denied.

The purpose of the clinic, noted on the application, was to “collect, organize and disseminate” information regarding medical cannabis product, Building Permitting Manager Ken Kunka said, noting the proposed business operates out of the same address as Herbal Greens, at 256 Westminster Ave.

Kunka advised staff to deny the non-profit registration for the association.

Laurio was not present at Tuesday’s meeting.

Council voted unanimously to deny the Association for Medical Marijuana Awareness application.

The city is also looking at legal action against OK Cannabis Solutions of 575 Main St. The dispensary also continues to operate after being denied a permit last year.

Director of Development Services Anthony Haddad says the city is currently following a process of daily fines against the business. The matter will return to council for further injunctive action if necessary, at a later date.

Only two of seven applications for a temporary use permit to operate a marijuana dispensary were approved by council at the Dec. 6, 2015 meeting.

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