Pot dispensaries to unite

Photo: Contributed

Owners and managers of medical marijuana dispensaries in Vernon are hoping to work together on standardized business procedures.

Representatives of three of the five clinics met last week to “get on the same page as far as policies and procedures go,” said Imre Kovacs, owner of The Herbal Health Centre (THHC).

Early this month, the RCMP issued a release warning of "possible action" against the dispensaries for non compliance with the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

Police confirmed an officer had visited the five businesses.

No further action has been taken so far.

Kovacs believes authorities are looking at the clinics as “a bunch of individuals.”

“Because there isn't a structure, there's no set of rules and regulations (for medical marijuana dispensaries),” he said. “There is nothing within the provincial, federal or municipal system.”

Kovacs said the dispensaries are now “discussing protocol to make sure, as a group locally, we are all operating under similar standards.

“We need to establish a set of procedures, an accreditation process.”

“Patients expect the same things,” he added.