420 Clinic opening sparks call for better medical marijuana regulations

The Inglewood Business Revitalization Zone (BRZ) is not convinced the southeast community is ready for a medical marijuana clinic.

On the Calgary Eyeopener on Monday, executive director Rebecca O'Brien questioned the benefit of putting in "a business, underneath a bar, run by somebody who has no medical background."

420 Clinic is set to open at the end of April on Ninth Avenue S.E. in the basement of the Swans of Inglewood pub.

It will offer consultations to help Albertans wade through the federal rules surrounding medical marijuana.

Jeff Mooiji, the clinic's owner, says he'll be assisting people with their forms and documents so they can access the drug, but will not dispense it as long as it's illegal to do so in Canada.

"Maybe it's illegal now, maybe it won't be in three years," said O'Brien.

O'Brien says there is "no puritanical opposition to marijuana" by the Inglewood BRZ.

Rather, the board is concerned about how few regulations are in place surrounding medical marijuana clinics.

"This is precedent-setting business in Alberta," said O'Brien.

"Where's the leadership on this? I mean it's like the children sorting out their parent's divorce," she said.

420 Clinic is already a member of the Inglewood BRZ and has a business licence.

The clinic is awaiting an inspection by the Crime Prevention Through Environment Design Program, which uses physical design — such as surveillance cameras, fences and signs — to reduce criminal activity.