Pubdate: Thu, 06 Aug 2015
Source: Metro (Winnipeg, CN MB)
Copyright: 2015 Free Daily News Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/winnipeg
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5322
Page: 6

POLICE RAID POT SHOP

Store owner charged with trafficking, possession

Winnipeg police have moved to close a controversial medical marijuana
shop in the city, going so far as to remove the sign hanging from a
shingle over Your Medical Cannabis Headquarters.

Wednesday, police said Glen Allan Price, 54, was arrested and charged
with trafficking and possession of scheduled substances and possession
of proceeds of property obtained by crime.

Earlier this year, Health Canada moved to make it legal for licensed
providers to sell marijuana in everything from brownies to lip balm.

Vancouver became the first Canadian municipality to regulate medical
marijuana dispensaries, requiring operators to pay a $30,000 licensing
fee and locate at least 300 metres away from community centres,
schools, and each other.

Price was warned his business would be closed because he was not
properly licensed, but his supporters held a rally last month and he
reopened the store in defiance of the police order.

He even got the support of federal Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, who
has spoken out in favour of legalizing marijuana and who said during a
stop in Winnipeg that storefronts such as Price's should be able to
operate.

Price has said he only provides the product to people with appropriate
medical documentation and said he's helped hundreds of people since
opening on July 1.

However, Winnipeg police said in a news release Tuesday only dealers
authorized by Health Canada are allowed to sell cannabis because there
are "stringent controls to ensure public safety."

The department said unlicensed sellers are "marketing a substance
whose quality and content is unverified. This may pose a significant
health risk to the consumer."

- - The Canadian Press
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MAP posted-by: Matt