Editor:
Re: KTW editor Christopher Foulds’ column of April 27 (‘Confusing policy on cannabis, alcohol’):
I think the City of Kamloops is presumptuous in deciding cannabis store operators should pay more for their business licences.
They are governed by laws just like alcohol (sales are in the hands of the same overseeing organization), yet are being charged 25 times more for a business licence in Kamloops — $5,000 per year for cannabis stores and $196 per year for liquor stores.
Cannabis is less addictive and is not a gateway substance.
Cannabis users have no chance of poisoning, no chance of overdose and cannabis has nowhere near the societal implications created by alcohol use.
You never hear of a stoned brawl outside cannabis stores or folks getting violent while using the substance.
Kamloops council must stop penalizing new businesses with prohibitive licensing fees. The business licence fee for liquor store and cannabis stores licenses must be the same.
Prejudice toward one substance over the other must stop.
M.B. Wilson
Kamloops
