B.C.’s Public Safety minister says enforcement on illegal marijuana operations will ramp up over time after cannabis is legalized next month.
Mike Farnworth says a new marijuana enforcement branch within his ministry will be ready to hit the ground on the 17th albeit with not as many officers as you might think.
“In terms of the enforcement unit that is currently under development. It will comprise of about 44 people. It will be spread around the province and its job will be to deal with those dispensaries that are illegal, that don’t get local government approval, and don’t pass a background check.”
Farnworth says the issue of illegal marijuana dispensaries is mainly focused in Metro Vancouver and Victoria as well as a handful of other communities.
He says as more legal licenced marijuana stores come online then enforcement on the illegal operations in communities will be ramped up.