Pubdate: Thu, 15 Oct 2015
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact: http://www2.canada.com/theprovince/letters.html
Website: http://www.theprovince.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Keith Fraser
Page: 12

ABBOTSFORD TAKES DISPENSARY OWNER TO COURT

POT SHOP: City seeks declaration that Don Briere's Weeds Glass and
Gifts is in breach of bylaws

Abbotsford is taking marijuana dispensary chain owner Don Briere to
court in a bid to shut down one of his stores.

City officials say that in May, Briere, sole director and officer of
Weeds Glass and Gifts Ltd., applied for a business licence for a
dispensary on Clearbrook Road, but was denied permission.

A city employee who reviewed the application noted that "medical
marijuana dispensaries are absolutely not permitted and care must be
taken not to issue this licence under any condition if this is what
they are doing," according to a petition filed by the city in B.C.
Supreme Court.

The petition says the city served Briere, a director of the Canadian
Weed Cannabis Society, with a "demand letter" asking that he cease
operations within 21 days, with the city processing a refund of the
business application.

But an inspection June 17 revealed the dispensary was still in
operation selling cannabis and cannabis products.

"Subsequent to the inspection, Mr. Briere contacted the city and
advised that the society was operating the dispensary," the writ says.

"He suggested that because the society is not for profit, the
dispensary is exempt from the requirement to obtain a business licence."

The city says it asked for documentation from Briere and he agreed to
provide it. But in a second demand letter in August, the city said it
was providing a "final warning" that the store must cease operating
within 21 days.

The petition seeks a court declaration Briere has breached the city's
bylaws and an order he be restrained from carrying on business.

No response to the petition has yet been filed.

Briere, who according to the company's website operates a number of
other dispensaries in the Lower Mainland and around B.C., could not be
reached.
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MAP posted-by: Matt