By Brenda Ann Babinski

City of Kimberley council has chosen to move forward cautiously when it comes to the medical marijuana business. Last week the company doing business as Kimberley Botanicals was denied a business license by the city.

Kimberley Botanicals, hoping to open up shop as medical marijuana dispensary, sent a letter to council requesting that the bylaws be overlooked and that a business license be issued, as was done for Tamarack Dispensaries earlier this summer.

Council decided unanimously to defer the matter to a Committee-of-the-Whole for broader discussion. Mayor Don McCormick suggested August 10 that it would be prudent for city council to move cautiously forward, and observe the example being set by Tamarack Dispensary, Kimberley’s first medical marijuana dispensary.

When asked for an update on how business is going, Tamara Duggan of Tamarack Dispensaries was enthusiastic about the level of support and welcome they have received from the community since opening up shop July 15. Duggan stated that the largest demographic requesting information, education and membership are the senior population.

“We maintain a very respectable business. This is not a stoner shop. Our product is for medical purposes only,” Duggan said, adding that they have also seen an influx of out-of-town clients. “Tourists are grateful to have a safe source of cannabis for their medical needs. It makes it easier for them. They don’t have to bring a huge supply with them when they travel.”

Duggan is encouraged by the support they have received from the community at large and believes the business fits in well with the health services, both mainstream and alternative, offered in Kimberley and Marysville.

Kimberley council hopes that a broad debate by the Committee-of-the-Whole will allow them to have new structure in place for this burgeoning market by September.

Article Share