Pot shops flout the law

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Several marijuana dispensaries in West Kelowna are thumbing their noses at city bylaws.

Five of six dispensaries remain open in West Kelowna despite recently being denied business licences.

Just one dispensary has told the city it's closing its doors.

Early last month, council publicly denied a request by two dispensaries to keep their business licence.

Council cited the illegality of selling marijuana and safety issues due to the fact there is no regulatory body to ensure the safety of the product.

The city has been issuing $1,000 bylaw tickets daily since Nov. 1 for operating without a business licence.

"The City of West Kelowna’s bylaw enforcement office has visited the six marijuana dispensaries beginning Nov. 1," reads a recent statement issued by the city. "The city’s bylaw enforcement office will continue with enforcement action as long as the dispensaries continue to operate."

Dispensaries have refused to comment on the issue.

In Kelowna, bylaw manager David Gazley said the issue of dispensaries in Kelowna has been handed over to the city's legal department.

Gazley said bylaw tickets have been written in the past, however, those remain in limbo.

He expects something to be made public soon.

Kelowna is dealing with eight dispensaries it says are operating without a licence.