A team of Kamloops doctors will continue to play the waiting game when it comes to their proposal to open a medicinal marijuana growing operation in the city.
Dr. Brownlee is one of the doctors behind the project. As a practicing neurosurgeon in Kamloops he treats a number of patients suffering from chronic pain.
“I have had people that, their family physician have weaned them off their narcotics but they don’t really have an alternative for managing their pain and they don’t have a surgical fix. So, I see these people but I don’t have much to offer them either at the moment. I think the medical marijuana program is an alternative,” said Brownlee.
Dr. Brownlee started the process over two years ago and says it has been a long, drawn out process. However, the city has shown ongoing support for the project.
“We’ve been talking to them right from the beginning, for the two years, and they’ve had no problem with it,” said Brownlee. “We’ve conformed to all other requirements, in terms of location and zoning, so they don’t have an issue.”
Dr. Brownlee plans to open a clinic where physicians and pharmacists can prescribe medical marijuana.
“Having a dedicated clinic where you could have physicians who are interested in doing it and prescribe for clients would give you a way to follow them and also ensure that people are using it for the right indications,” said Brownlee.
Last week, the location at 8170 Dallas Drive was approved for re-zoning by the city. Now it’s up to the federal government to continue the approval process.
“Justin Trudeau says that they’re going to legalize it, or decriminalize it, so I don’t know exactly how that process will work,” said Brownlee. “Until this thing gets federal government approval we don’t know if or when it will actually happen.”
For now, Dr. Brownlee will continue to play the waiting game until the project is able to move forward.
