Pubdate: Sat, 14 Nov 2015
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Tiffany Crawford, with a file from Kelly Sinoski
Page: A7

NANAIMO RCMP SET TO SNUFF OUT DISPENSARIES

One Operator Believes the Move Was Triggered by Arrival of Vancouver 
Pot 'Franchises' In City

The operators of several medical pot dispensaries in Nanaimo have 
been ordered to shut down or risk criminal charges.

Const. Gary O'Brien with the Nanaimo RCMP detachment confirmed Friday 
that the cease and desist letters were delivered Thursday. He said, 
in all, Mounties have spoken to 10 dispensaries in the area.

In the letter, RCMP Sgt. Rob Christenson advises the shops that they 
"are operating illegally and are currently trafficking in substance 
(cannabis) contrary to Sec. 5(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act."

He writes that they are operating outside of Health Canada marijuana 
regulations, and states they may be subject to criminal prosecutions.

Asked why the RCMP decided to hand out the letters now, instead of 
when they opened months - or in some cases years - ago, O'Brien would 
only say that the decision was part of an ongoing commitment to public safety.

"It is important that our position be made very clear and therefore 
we have notified the businesses in person of the ramifications should 
illegal activity be detected," he said.

However, Brandy Cavanagh, manager of the Mid- Island Health and 
Wellness Association, a dispensary that has 1,000 clients in Nanaimo, 
had a different take on why the police were issuing the notices.

She said in the past few months, several of the Vancouver dispensary 
"franchises" had opened in Nanaimo.

"They allow smoking on the premises, and they have sandwich boards, 
and an obvious recreational type of feeling. And I had kind of a bad 
feeling that it was going to ruin it for all of us," she said.

"There have been medical marijuana dispensaries in Victoria and 
Nanaimo for years now ... I think what they are doing is disgusting."

Cavanagh said her association will continue to operate as normal and 
it has set up a petition asking the government to allow them to remain open.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom