Pubdate: Fri, 13 Nov 2015 Source: Nanaimo Daily News (CN BC) Copyright: 2015 Nanaimo Daily News Contact: http://www.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1608 Author: Darrell Bellaart RCMP WARN NANAIMO POT DISPENSARIES TO CLOSE OR FACE PROSECUTION Nanaimo RCMP has started issuing warnings to marijuana retailers to close their doors or face closure and possible prosecution. Police officers issued letters to several cannabis dispensaries in Nanaimo to shut their doors within seven days or risk arrest, seizures and possible prosecution for cannabis trafficking. "I am absolutely disgusted," said Brandy Cavanagh, manager of Mid-Island Health and Wellness Association. She said the society that operates the dispensary caters only to patients who are licensed by Health Canada to use cannabis. But dispensaries remain illegal in Canada, and Cavanagh said Health Canada has left "no avenue" for patients to access it, other than by mail, from licensed producers. Health Canada issued a warning in late summer that dispensaries would be closed. In September 13 cease-and-desist orders were issued across Canada. Not all Nanaimo dispensaries have received warnings. "We have not received a cease-and-desist order," said Kaitlynn Hill, manager of Weemedical. 'We have two locations, on Fitzwilliam (Street) and Norwell (Drive) and neither one has received a cease-and-desist order." Nanaimo RCMP spokesman Gary O'Brien said the detachment intends to issue warnings to every dispensary. "Nothing has changed, what we're simply doing is addressing the issue that they are contravening federal law in Canada, by trafficking in marijuana." The letters contain wording warning operators to cease selling cannabis and its derivatives or be subject to police enforcement, "including the arrest of employees and patrons," property seizure, and possible criminal prosecutions. Dispensary operators and their supporters planned to meet Thursday evening to discuss options to deal with the threat. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt