Article by Jonathan Rumley, CBC News
A Toronto city councillor is slamming police raids of marijuana dispensaries in the city as a waste of taxpayers’ money.
“That was money that was not well-spent,” Coun. Jim Karygiannis said Monday in response to last week’s raids. “It was a knee-jerk reaction because of a couple hundred emails.”
The councillor was joined by marijuana advocates ahead of a municipal licensing and standards committee meeting Monday.
The committee deferred a debate to review the city’s approach to marijuana dispensaries until October.
Michael McLellan, who represents the Toronto Dispensaries Coalition, said he wants to see a “collaborative approach” as an alternative to enforcement action.
“We’re wanting to start a dialogue today,” McLellan said, adding he wants to see “safe and open” marijuana access for those who need it.
“Let’s start a conversation,” Karygiannis said. “Stakeholders need to be at the table.”