Mike Farnworth: “The products they are selling are illegal in this country and they are at risk of police raids.”
B.C.’s Attorney General and Minister of Public Safety Mike Farnworth said Wednesday he is not happy with a decision by two Vancouver Green Party councilors to reissue licenses to businesses that openly sell psilocybin mushrooms and other illegal drugs. It revealed that.
Farnworth was reacting to Tuesday’s 2-1 vote at City Hall, in which Councilors Adrian Carr and Pete Fry decided to open the medicinal mushroom dispensary at 247 West Broadway. The license suspension was overturned.
“It doesn’t make any sense to me,” Farnworth told reporters. “The products they are selling are illegal in this country and put them at risk of police raids. It just makes no sense.”
Farnworth also called the decision “pretty strange,” noting that the store’s license had been revoked and “now it’s been re-licensed.” The minister spoke to reporters at an unrelated news conference in Port Moody, but did not provide further comment.
However, in a subsequent statement emailed to Glacier Media, Farnworth reiterated that psilocybin is a controlled substance under the law. Federal Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
“Any business that sells illegal products should be denied a license and not be allowed to operate,” he said.
“While we understand that police take enforcement actions against illegal drugs within businesses seriously, questions regarding enforcement should be directed to the VPD.”
27 kg of psilocybin
The pharmacy in question, located just a short walk from City Hall, was one of three raided by Vancouver police on November 1, 2023. Police seized a total of 27 kilograms of psilocybin, 2.2 kilograms of coca leaves, 2.7 kilograms of LSD and one tablet. kilograms of DMT.
So far, no charges have been filed, and the West Broadway pharmacy has remained open since opening in January 2023. The city’s Chief License Inspector Sarah Hicks ordered the store’s license to be suspended in May 2023.
In parliament on Tuesday, Carr and Fry opposed Hick’s recommendation that Hick be suspended based on evidence that he was using a “gift or novelty” license to sell illegal drugs. supported.
Councilors also rejected the advice of City Attorney Robert LeBlanc, who said the purpose of the hearing was about licensing and “not to advance advocacy regarding the safe supply or sale of psychedelic drugs.” .
LeBlanc added: “And under the circumstances, this commission could never approve the sale of such a product in violation of federal law.” [and] State laws must be followed regarding the granting of licenses to permit the sale of these products. ”
“Prudent regulation and prohibition of politics”
City councilors are now facing intense criticism not only from Farnworth but also from the Vancouver ABC majority. Mayor Ken Sim issued a statement condemning the move and the mayor. Mike Klassen, who was the only ABCer on the City Council’s Business Permit Review Committee on Tuesday, said he is concerned about the impact of the decision.
“The bigger issue is that it could open up an opening for other people who don’t want to comply with business licensing requirements in our city,” Klassen told Glacier Media after the vote.
“Thanks to Councilman Frye and Councilman Kerr, we are essentially creating a pathway that can open almost anywhere.”
The criticism is expected to continue, with Frye telling Glacier Media on Tuesday that he plans to introduce a motion to create a regulatory framework for mushroom dispensaries at an upcoming council meeting, likely next week.
In a subsequent post on the X social media platform, Fry wrote: “Let’s have a discussion and let the public know ABC’s position. There are dozens of mushroom shops in YVR, supplying safe mushrooms to willing consumers. This pattern continued with cannabis in 2015. As seen, the City of Vancouver prioritized harm reduction and sensible regulation over politics and prohibition.”
“Threat of further action”
Medicinal Mushroom Pharmacy is operated by 1394867 BC Ltd., whose sole director is Valentin Müller. Attorney Jack Lloyd represented Mr. Muller at the business permit review hearing.
Dana Larsen also spoke at the hearing and served as Mueller’s spokesperson.
Larsen said he is a director of the Strathcona Tea Company, a nonprofit that manages the finances and logistics of the pharmacy and two other pharmacies on East Hastings Street and Granville Street.
“I’m very happy with the outcome of the decision,” Larsen said after the vote. “And while this is not final, it does set the stage for a lot more conversations and discussions to take place on City Council. Certainly, we are under pressure right away in terms of being threatened with further action.” can be removed.”
mhowell@glaciermedia.ca
