Pubdate: Fri, 24 Apr 2015
Source: Nelson Star (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Black Press
Contact:  http://www.bclocalnews.com/kootenay_rockies/nelsonstar/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4866
Author: Will Johnson
Page: 1

FLEDGLING MARIJUANA DISPENSARY EVICTED TWICE

A fledgling marijuana dispensary and vapour lounge originally located
within a few blocks of Nelson city hall has been evicted from two
storefronts since its introduction to the community a few months ago.

Qunnabu Healing Society, run by director Kyle Lindroos, 24, was
originally located on the bottom floor of the Front Street Emporium.
But according to building manager Paula Snow, it only took eight days
for problems to arise.

"They approached me to rent the big space that was available up front.
They were up front about what they were doing, to a point, but they
did not really say they were going to have people using substances in
the space," Snow told the Star.

And though Lindroos brought heavy-duty Canfilters into the space and
attempted to comply with all requests, ultimately he was still asked
to leave.

"I was fine with retail sales of pot-related items and selling the
substance to people medically licensed to receive it, but they didn't
say anything about using it on site," said Snow, noting that visitors
often smoked from vapourizers.

According to Snow, the smell was oppressive and one tenant decided to
move out. She said there were also complaints of people knocking on
other doors and making a nuisance in the parking lot.

Once the police informed her that her insurance was in jeopardy, she
made the decision to evict.

"It sounds to me like they're too young and inexperienced to do what
they're doing in a way that doesn't have serious side effects for the
people around them," she said.

Qunnabu then moved to a space above the Dollar Store, where their
merchandise and equipment remains in limbo, as new landlord Armand
Olender has already delivered a hand-written eviction notice.

LIKE ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Lindroos began using marijuana after a shoulder injury sustained
during firefighting. He said cannabis helped him cope with the pain
and get to sleep.

That kick-started a passion for the controversial plant, and two years
ago he obtained a license to grow pot.

"It started out I was mostly selling brownies to dispensaries in
Vancouver and Vancouver Island. Then after my surgery I found out I
could get my license."

When Lindroos first moved to Nelson, he told the Star, he was forced
to obtain his marijuana from dealers in Cottonwood Park. He said the
selection was poor, the situations were uncomfortable, and he was
tired of feeling like a criminal.

When he opened Qunnabu - a neo-Babylonian word for cannabis - he was
initially in a business partnership with some local artists and
business people who planned to open a head shop called Nelson 420.

However, that idea fell through.

For the majority of the time they operated in the Front Street
Emporium, the space was little more than an empty show room, a few
couches and a small room from which Lindroos sold a variety of
cannabis products.

"I don't think they liked the progression," said Lindroos, noting he
operates differently than other marijuana-selling establishments in
Nelson.

"I was offering extracts I made, and edibles, which is something the
other clubs weren't doing. And I was trying to create a space where
people could comfortably hang out and have a smoke. I guess they
didn't like that."

He was also hoping to introduce an art gallery to the
space.

Lindroos said he has a passion for health care, as evidenced by his
tattoo of ancient Egyptian alchemist god Thoth, who taught holistic
healing among other things. In Lindroos' tattoo, cannabis is being
transformed into a droplet of gold.

"I've been traveling around Canada trying to educate people about
extracts, edibles. I've been providing services for the past three
years."

POLICE INTERVENTION

Lindroos spoke with a number of different police officers during his
time at Front Street Emporium, including constables David Laing and
Nate Holt, as well as deputy chief Paul Burkart.

"As soon as we received a complaint from a member of the public, we
followed up," said Burkart. "Our detectives went out and educated that
person, telling them it was illegal and why."

Burkart said though there are similar marijuana-selling establishments
in the city, they don't inspire the same complaints and have flown
under the radar thus far.

"We're out there educating the landlords, letting the building owners
know their insurance may be null and void if they have one of these
businesses in their building."

Burkart said the police attempted to explain the difference between
the old medical marijuana regulations and the new ones, but Lindroos
said the information they provided was incorrect.

"They were telling me what I'm doing on paper is legal, but then they
also said it's legal for them to take my marijuana. They were saying
we're not allowed to sell in glass jars, in glass display cases, and
these statements are inaccurate," said Lindroos.

"For a while it seemed like they were going to leave me alone, maybe
because they're weren't sure if marijuana was going to be legalized. I
tried to explain to them I'm just running a compassion club."

Burkart expressed skepticism that the society was actually a
non-profit, noting that were capable of paying over $2,000 in rent at
their Baker Street location.

"If we find out you're selling marijuana out of your location, we're
going to investigate," Burkart said.

MARIJUANA PROHIBITION

Lindroos is most concerned about his patients, who range in age from
18 to 75. He estimates he had approximately 100 regular customers
before his eviction.

"I saw so many people I was helping. I had one guy with mobility
issues who couldn't roll his own joints, couldn't smoke a pipe. The
other club wouldn't help him but for ten bucks I rolled him like 16
grams."

He said he's been hearing from his regulars.

"They're asking 'can we still get some help?' 'What's going on?'
There's a lot of emotions going on with me because I'm feeling for
them. They're suffering. It's upsetting."

He said the double-eviction was demoralizing, but he plans to open a
less ambitious third location.

"Hopefully it will be less in-your-face and they'll leave me
alone."

He has contacted cannabis lawyer Kirk Tousaw to explore his
options.

Lindroos said the marijuana industry has helped revitalize small towns
like Nanaimo, but growers don't receive the respect they deserve. He
expressed disappointment that Nelson continues to enforce marijuana
prohibition.

"We all pretend it doesn't exist, which creates a terrible dynamic.
Everybody isn't being up front like in the rest of the world, where
they've realized pot is no big deal. Here in the Kootenays we're still
holding onto prohibition, which is weird."

Another established Compassion Club in Nelson declined to be
interviewed for this story.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt