Despite Emery's arrest,cannabis was & still  is pretty much defacto legal in Vancouver.
There are numerous  medical cannabis dispensaries. Many are licensed by the City to legally sell medical cannabis - but  are at the same time breaking federal laws governing medical marijuana. The City and police allow them to operate in the city anyway. Ones that have not been granted City licenses get fined, while others opearate with the City's blessing. 

Medical marijuana permits for individuals are reportedly so easy to obtain, virtually anyone can obtain one after seeing a dispensary's freindly physician or naturopath. Anyone can come up with a symptom they can claim they want medical cannabis for.

Emery got arrested (in Vanc. at least) 'cause he went the extra step of openly selling to anyone so long as theyweren't minors.He dropped all pretense to selling medical cannabis only.A bridge too far. Meanwhile, thousands of Vancouverites keep on buying "medical" pot from unmolested dispensaries