Toronto politicians and city staff, busy with legalizing Uber in recent months, saw what was happening in B.C. Councillor Jim Karygiannis, attending a pot protest in front of Toronto police headquarters Friday, says Toronto should have moved earlier to pass regulations that would let some medicinal dispensaries become legal. “The mayor is concerned about the health and safety impacts that unlawful marijuana dispensaries are having on neighbourhoods and business across the city,” she wrote. “Clearly these shops were popping up to meet a need,” because people with prescriptions for pot weren’t well-served by stringent Health Canada regulations on medicinal marijuana distribution, Jang said. ( DAVID RIDER / TORONTO STAR ) | Order this photoToronto Mayor John Tory has talked about following Vancouver’s lead on medical marijuana shops — a model that does not include police raids with smashed doors and serious criminal charges for dispensary staff.

Source: thestar May 27, 2016 16:26 UTC