Pubdate: Tue, 02 Aug 2011
Source: Langley Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2011 Langley Times
Contact:  http://www.langleytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1230
Page: 3
Author: Dan Ferguson

COUNCILLOR CONCERN LED TO DISPENSARY RAID

The police raid that closed the Langley Medical Marijuana Dispensary 
came after Langley City Councillor Rudy Storteboom complained to 
Mayor Peter Fassbender.

Both men confirmed there was a discussion in which the councillor 
brought up the dispensary, which is located in a condo unit next to a 
suite that Storteboom owns and leases to a hairdresser.

He [Storteboom] indicated there was some concern," Fassbender said.

There was a break-in [at the dispensary] right after it opened," 
Storteboom said.

The mayor said he told the councillor that if the strata council that 
represents the owners believed illegal activities were being carried 
out, they should go to the police.

Storteboom told The Times that he relayed the mayor's message to the 
strata council.

Langley RCMP raided the dispensary on July 19, saying it was in 
response to "numerous ongoing complaints from the community and area 
residents."

The mayor also attended the annual general meeting of the building 
owners on Wednesday (July 27).

Fassbender said he was invited by the building manager and strata 
president (not Storteboom) to explain the city's position.

Marijuana dispensaries or compassion clubs are not legal operations 
under any Canadian law," Fassbender said.

He advised the owners they could send a cease-and-desist order to 
dispensary owner Randy Caine.

Caine also attended the meeting.

He [Fassbender] told them they could kick me out," Caine said.

This is ludicrous. This is a matter that hasn't been decided by the 
Crown [the prosecutor's office which decides whether to lay charges 
following a police raid]."

Caine said he has no plans to resume selling marijuana from the condo.

Both Fassbender and Storteboom said Ottawa needs to reform the 
current medical marijuana system by distributing medical pot through 
pharmacies like any other doctor-prescribed drug.

I don't understand why this place [the dispensary] is operating at 
all," Storteboom said.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart