The City of Vancouver came under fire last week for its plans to regulate medicinal marijuana dispensaries. Federal Health Minister Rona Ambrose warned the mayor that regulating pot shops amounts to legitimizing the illegal sale of marijuana.

The new regulations would implement an annual $30,000 licensing fee, and prevent dispensaries from opening within 300 metres of schools, community centres and other marijuana-related businesses. The City defends the new regulations as a public safety response to the rapid increase in dispensaries popping up all over town.