MEDICAL MARIJUANA CENTRE OPENS IN CITY'S SOUTH SIDE

For the past month, a small nondescript storefront in south Vancouver
has been quietly dispensing medical marijuana to those who need it.

The Imedikate Medical Cannabis Dispensary, at 6128 Fraser St.,
celebrated a "soft" opening Saturday, marking the sixth such
dispensary in the city and the first in south Vancouver.

The shop consists of an outer office that leads into a back-room
where patients can follow the sign on the counter to 'stoner way' and
access a vaporizer and some big comfy leather couches.

It already has 60 regular members.

"It's about being open. We want to destigmatize marijuana use," said
Imedikate director Jacob Hunter.

"[Patients] feel judged. What we're trying to do here is bring it out
in the open and show that medical marijuana is just another type of
medication."

About six volunteers operate the centre, which distributes marijuana
to seriously ill patients who would benefit from its use.

Patients must bring proof of serious illness or a recommendation from
a doctor for marijuana to be dispensed.

"It's not like someone can walk in and walk out with marijuana unless
they're seriously ill," he said.

Hunter said a doctor would be available to assess people whose family
doctor was not supportive of such treatment.

He noted many people are loath to try medical marijuana for fear
their friends will find out.

Meanwhile, some doctors refuse to prescribe it.

Hunter said the shop is being run "on the edge of the legislative
law" as Health Canada refuses to issue a dispensary licence, but the
judiciary has ruled people have a right to medical marijuana.