Conservatives insist only the federal government has the power to regulate pot

Local governments in BC passed a resolution this week claiming they now have the authority to regulate pot

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The Tories are dismissing claims that anyone but the federal government has the power to regulate marijuana dispensaries after local governments voted this week to proclaim they have that authority in this province.

Only the Feds have the constitutional authority to regulate pot shops, says Conservative candidate Jason Kenney, despite local governments passing a resolution at the Union of BC Municipalities annual conference this week claiming they can step into the void left by the federal government on the issue of medicinal marijuana.

“I’m sorry but that organization does not have any constitutional authority,” says Kenney. “The parliament of Canada and the Canadian Constitution are responsible for criminal law.”

He says Vancouver’s pot bylaw doesn’t set a precedent.

“The City of Vancouver does not have constitutional jurisdiction over criminal law,” says Kenney. “The parliament of Canada does.”

Municipalities claim the feds are not providing reasonable access to pot despite instructions from the courts to do just that.