Pubdate: Wed, 18 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

POT DISPENSARY SAYS IT WILL DEFY POLICE ORDER

A spokesman for Nanaimo's retail cannabis industry says he has no 
plans to comply with a cease-and-desist order issued by RCMP.

Phoenix Pain Management is one of 10 pot dispensaries given seven 
days notice to stop selling the drug late last week, and has until 
Thursday to cease operations. If RCMP raid the store, "I will hand 
them a box with the product then hold out my hands," said Akil Iam, 
managing director of the Wallace Street facility, which has about 
1,200 clients.

"Then, an hour later, another volunteer will enter with another box, 
and we'll start again."

Medical dispensary owners, patients and supporters who call 
themselves Nanaimo Cannabis Coalition question RCMP action, almost 
two years after the first dispensary opened, and a month after 
Canadians elected a majority, pro-legalization Liberal government.

But cannabis remains illegal and RCMP have a job to do, says the 
Nanaimo detachment's officer in charge.

"I'm aware of what government's stated position is, but I have to 
deal with the laws we have on the books," said Supt. Mark Fisher.

Fisher would not confirm if police would act on the threat of 
seizures and arrests Thursday, saying he "won't comment on an ongoing 
investigation."

Coalition members appeared before city council Monday, making an 
appeal to use its authority to discourage police action.

"Sometimes you just have to stick up for a just cause," said Matthew 
O'Donnell, of NCC. "When you have thousands of cannabis users in pain 
and need this medicine, that's a just cause and it's worth fighting for."

City council took no action Monday.

"We as a government have to respect federal law, and that's what 
we're trying to do, and still try to satisfy the needs of the 
community," said Mayor Bill McKay.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom