Vancouver changed the landscape of Canada’s cannabis culture, becoming the first city in Canada to regulate illegal marijuana dispensaries. The action, which will see a two-tiered licensing system aimed at weeding out for-profit dispensaries in favour of non-profit compassion clubs, comes as the federal government continues to reject calls to loosen its drug policies. Dispensary owners have 60 days to apply for a licence and will have to qualify under tight criteria, including criminal records checks and limits on where their shops can be located. (See also: Grey area leads to green rush)