The Growing and Selling of Medical Marijuana: A Local Government's Role

In recent years, medical marijuana dispensaries have been opening up across British Columbia. To date, there are approximately 8 dispensaries across the province. This is far less than the approximately 800 dispensaries in Los Angeles alone. The number of dispensaries, however, will no doubt grow. There has also been a proliferation of marijuana grow operations in British Columbia. In particular, the number of grow operations in residential neighbourhoods has exploded. These issues raise several questions for local governments such as whether the dispensaries and grow operations are operating legally for medical marijuana purposes and what is the scope of a local government's authority to regulate or prohibit such dispensaries and grow operations in their communities?

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