CAROLYN GRANT
Medical marijuana is a growth industry, says Tamara Duggan of Kimberley.
Duggan and her husband, Rod, were at Kimberley City Council on Monday evening, informing Council of their plans to open Tamarack Dispensaries, purveyors of high quality medicinal cannabis products, in Kimberley.
Medical marijuana can be distributed through Health Canada, but that only allows for the purchase of dried plant product from authorized growers. But Duggan says there are many who could benefit from the medicinal qualities of cannabis who don't wish to inhale it.
Their plan is to promote the use of edible cookies, butters, oils and tinctures in a storefront that is "upscale and clinical".
"Image is everything in the dispensary business," Duggan said. "We will be as presentable and professional as any pharmacy."
Tamarack Dispensaries will be a member of the Canadian Association of Medical Cannabis Dispensaries. The CAMCD's vice president is Dana Larsen, who headed up the decriminalization of marijuana petition last year.
"I like to say we are not legislated," Larsen said. "When dispensaries have gone to court, the court consistently recognizes that we're helping people, that the federal government's medical marijuana program is a failure; and they are not willing to treat it like a serious crime."