Second-hand smoke has emerged as a top concern as the province nears the end of public consultation on cannabis regulation, says B.C. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth.

The province is working to draw up rules for the sale and consumption of non-medical cannabis before it is legalized by the federal government in July, 2018. B.C.'s public consultation period ends Nov. 1.

It will take time for the ministry to sort through the more than 30,000 responses it has received so far, Farnworth said.

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But it's already clear that many people are worried about second-hand marijuana smoke, he added.

"People have very strong views, particularly when it impacts their private space, such as their condo unit for example or their backyard or whatever," he said.

The issue will be addressed in the new cannabis regulations, Farnworth said.

"It's one that was fully anticipated as an issue, so I expect, in fact I know, it will be dealt with in the new regulatory framework."

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The province might be relying on NB Liquor to sell recreational marijuana initially, but it hasn't ruled out selling in the private sector later on, Finance Minister Cathy Rogers says.

"Down the road after we get some experience, we'll learn from the experience and we may look at other ways," Rogers said Thursday.

In the meantime, the province announced on Wednesday that NB Liquor will set up stand-alone stores before the legalization of recreational marijuana in July 2018.

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Up to 20 stores will be established in 15 communities across the province, with strict policies in place.

Stores must be located at least 300 meters away from schools, they will only display products under glass, and customers will need to show identification to prove they are of legal age before they can even get inside the building.

"We didn't start out letting the private sector sell alcohol," Rogers said. "It's new territory and it's very important … that we start tight to combat the illegal market," she said.

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Panelists on Nevada County’s marijuana citizen’s committee struggled on Tuesday, Oct. 24, with possible specifics for a new grow ordinance, at times pushing back against questions posed by the county’s cannabis consultant.

The 16-member community advisory group, which is developing recommendations for a new cannabis ordinance, found no consensus on whether the future marijuana ordinance should allow outdoor grows on residential properties. They also found little common ground on setbacks and the number of plants that should be allowed.

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Cannabis panelists also found problems with questions posed by MIG, Inc.—the county’s marijuana consultant—queries MIG hoped would draw general opinions from the group. Panelists said they needed specifics, like whether a grow was personal or commercial, before they could answer.

“You’re asking a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on a complex question,” said Rich Johansen, one of 16 panelists.

Daniel Iacofano, principal with MIG, noted that in past meetings the panel reached 93 percent agreement that county rules should conform with the state’s on water supply and quality. It had 87 percent agreement with state regulations calling for a 600-foot setback from schools, parks and child care centers.

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PORTLAND, Ore. – At its monthly meeting on Oct. 26, 2017, the Commissioners of the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) ratified the following fines and recreational marijuana license suspensions based on stipulated settlement, according to a press release:

NW Compassion Medical Center, 1970 NE 238th Drive, Wood Village; will pay a fine of $2,640 or serve a 16-day recreational marijuana retail license suspension for two violations. The first violation is for retaining in its inventory marijuana items transferred beyond the date allowed under the provisions of transferring Medical Marijuana Dispensary Inventory. The second violation is for failing to reconcile the transferred marijuana items, specified in the first violation, in the Cannabis Tracking System (CTS). Licensee is NW Compassion Center, Inc.; Aaron Michaelsen, corporate principal.

Blue Sky of Portland/Medigreen, 729 SE Powell Blvd., Portland; will pay a fine of $10,725 or serve a 65-day recreational marijuana retail license suspension for three violations. The first violation is for subleasing a portion of its licensed premises. The second violation is for allowing medical marijuana items to be produced, processed, stored, sold and/or transported to or on the licensed premises. The third violation is for discounting marijuana items in conjunction with the retail sale of other marijuana items. Licensee is MTO Holdings, Inc.; Luay Tomeka, corporate principal. 

Cura CS; will pay a fine of $1,155 or serve a 7-day recreational marijuana processor license suspension for one violation. The violation is for a failure to use the Cannabis Tracking System (CTS) and not generating a printed transport manifest that accompanied the transport of marijuana items. Licensee is Cura CS, LLC.; Terwilliger Partners, LLC, managing member. 

Cura CS; will pay a fine of $2,310 or serve a 14-day recreational marijuana wholesaler license suspension for two violations.  The first violation is for allowing an unauthorized person to use a Cannabis Tracking System (CTS) log-on and/or password belonging to the licensee, licensee’s employees or representatives. The second violation is for a failure to use the Cannabis Tracking System (CTS) and not generating a printed transport manifest that accompanied the transport of marijuana items. Licensee is Cura CS, LLC.; Terwilliger Partners, LLC, managing member.

Black Bottle Cannabis Co.; will pay a fine of $7,260 or serve a 44-day recreational marijuana producer license suspension for three violations. The first violation is for failing to enter data into the cannabis tracking system (CTS) in a manner that failed to fully and transparently account for all inventory tracking activities. The second violation is for failing to give or make video surveillance and recordings available immediately upon request to the Commission. The third violation is for failing to ensure that during all hours when the licensee was not operating, all usable marijuana and marijuana products were kept in a locked, enclosed and secure area within the licensed premises. Licensee is Black Bottle Loffland, LLC.; Bigsby Cannabis Inc. and Black Bottle Holdings, Inc., members.