Pubdate: Wed, 03 Jul 2013
Source: Northern View, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 The Northern View
Contact:  http://www.thenorthernview.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4366
Author: Martina Perry

RCMP GIVEN "MOST TIME WASTED" TROPHY

Pro-pot leader mocks investigation

The Cannabis Crusader handed over a trophy recognizing Prince Rupert
RCMP for a six-month investigation into a business selling glass
pipes, bongs and grinders.

Dana Larsen of Sensible BC, a group working toward decriminalizing
possession of marijuana and preventing police from spending time or
resources on possession cases, made a trip up north on June 27 to
specifically address what he calls "harassment" by Prince Rupert RCMP
against businesses selling pipes and bongs.

Larsen said he wanted to draw attention to what he calls a "waste of
RCMP resources in a fun way".

Larsen held a small gathering in front of the Prince Rupert
detachment, when he handed over the trophy which read "award for the
most time wasted, six months investigating bongs" to Prince Rupert
RCMP.

"It's great that they've solved every other crime in Prince Rupert...
and have nothing left to do," he said.

"This is not where I think most British Columbians believe our police
resources should be focused. It really underlines the need for
legislative change in our province. That's what our Sensible BC
campaign is all about."

The same day Larsen dropped off the trophy, Prince Rupert RCMP
provided additional information regarding the investigation into The
Chad Smoke Shop.

A press release issued less than two hours after Larsen dropped off
the trophy said the investigation was initiated after RCMP received
numerous complaints from the public regarding merchandise and
activities occurring at the business.

"Two separate complaints involved youth who required medical attention
after ingesting a substance they received from the business," Const.
Matt Ericson, media relations officer for the Prince Rupert RCMP, said.

Information surrounding youth purchasing and ingesting substances from
The Chad Smoke Shop was not released on June 13, when Prince Rupert
RCMP informed the public they had executed a search warrant on the
business on June 8 following a six-month investigation, and seized
drug paraphernalia from The Chad Smoke Shop.

Chad Wentworth, CEO and owner of The Chad Smoke Shop, said the
substance he believes RCMP are referring to was legal incense, which
he said wasn't sold at the store for three months prior to police
executing a search warrant.

"Health Canada sent out a letter recommending the sale of the items be
stopped, so we took it off the shelf," he said.

Wentworth claims underage individuals ingesting a substance purchased
at the store was never mentioned in the search warrant executed by
RCMP.

Larsen questioned why RCMP are warning other businesses about the
legalities surrounding the sale of pipes and bongs if the police's
issue with The Chad Smoke Shop was the sale of substances to youth
that made them ill.

"They're changing their story [to cover up] their unpopular actions,"
he said.

Since seizing items from The Chad's Smoke Shop, RCMP have reportedly
entered two other Prince Rupert businesses selling smoking devices,
informing management that selling the items is illegal.

Homesteader New and Used, the most recent business to be told to take
the items off their shelfs had been selling the products with no issue
for approximately five years.

Prince Rupert's Express News, the first business to be warned under
section 462.2 of the Criminal Code of Canada which states "everyone
who knowingly imports to Canada, exports from Canada, manufactures,
promotes or sells instruments of literature for illicit drug use is
guilty of an offence" is the only outlet in the chain unable to sell
pipes and bongs in the store.

Requests fro further information from Prince Rupert RCMP were not
immediately returned, but Leslie Smith, RCMP media relations officer
for the North District, said RCMP released new information about the
investigation for clarification, adding RCMP do not generally release
why they've launched an investigation.

When questioned why other Prince Rupert businesses have been warned
about selling pipes and bongs, Smith said it was done to educate
businesses on the legalities of selling drug paraphernalia following
public complaints.
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