Pubdate: Thu, 01 Sep 2016 Source: Barrie Examiner (CN ON) Copyright: 2016, Barrie Examiner Contact: http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/letters Website: http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2317 Author: Ian McInroy MEDICAL POT USERS WORRIED Closure of Two Dispensaries Leaves Customers in Limbo Medicinal marijuana users in Barrie are in limbo after two pot dispensaries in the city were shut down this week. Four men face drug charges after city police raided the marijuana dispensaries Tuesday with Controlled Drug and Substance Act warrants. Investigators seized a large quantity of cash, according to police, as well as cannabis marijuana, cannabis resin, hashish and edible products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient contained in marijuana. The city police street crime unit is investigating Sunrise Medicinal on Dunlop Street East and Med West on Dunlop Street West. People attempting to get into the Sunrise Medicinal shop on Tuesday and Wednesday said they were disappointed with the raids. Robert Denne, 51, who identifies as a medicinal user - although he has not been prescribed for the drug by a doctor - said he relies on marijuana to relieve his symptoms related to post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression. He also wears a colonostomy bag and says he is dealing with many other medical conditions. "I was here yesterday," he said, standing in front of Sunrise Medicinal. "I'm on an Ontario Disability Support Program and I like marijuana instead of pills. I'm not a pharmaceutical kind of guy. "I was a recreational user, now it's medicinal. Now it helps me relax and it does what I think it should," Denne said. "If I could get a form from my doctor, I could purchase it from a medicinal marijuana dispensary. But he hasn't given his consent. He's against it." Deene said he has considered trying Simcoe Holistic Health, a Barrie-based company established in 2013 to help guide patients with advice about medical marijuana access. The company does not sell marijuana on site. According to the company's website, staff and physicians provide for the evaluation and treatment of conditions that are suitable for medicinal marijuana. "One day I'll see what's involved with that," Denne said. Another man - who didn't want his name used - attempted to access Sunrise Medicinal on Tuesday, but was refused entry while police conducted their investigation. He said he has been prescribed by a doctor to use medicinal marijuana, and appreciates being able to purchase it from a business like Sunrise. "It's under control there," he said. "You never know what you'll get off the street." Mika Kumpulainen, who is dealing with a type of eczema and auto-immune system issues, wanted to speak with Sunrise staff on Wednesday, but the store remains closed. "This is ridiculous. I'm looking for solutions and medicinal marijuana might be one of them," he said. "This closure affects me. It's denying me an option to find relief from what my body is doing to me. "I'm still exploring the idea of medical marijuana, but this (store's closure) is one less option," Kumpulainen said. "People are smoking this for relief of their circumstances. I see it as a simple and a not dangerous way to provide that relief." A woman making her way along Dunlop Street East in front of Sunrise Medicinal with the help of two walking sticks said she also wants to explore the possibility of using medicinal marijuana. But that's something she said her doctor isn't keen on. "He is a chronic-pain specialist, but doesn't know much about other drugs," said the woman, who also didn't want her name used, adding she is in constant pain, especially since breaking a hip several years ago. "I've had very severe scoliosis since childhood. I've had to take narcotics like morphine and Percocet," she said. "I want off those. I'm not interested in getting high. "I'd like to become a medicinal marijuana user. I should be allowed to use it. I might be able to be out of pain. What am I going to do now?" Police say the investigation is ongoing and detectives continue to comb through a large quantity of items seized from both stores. Further arrests and charges are expected as the investigation continues, according to police. Barrie police, which has worked with the city and the Crown attorney's office on this matter, say the investigation has resulted from unspecified community complaints. City police have called the two outlets 'illegal marijuana dispensaries' and said they are not a Health Canada-licensed producer or distributor, as defined in the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations. Police have also said these type of storefront operations pose a potential health risk, as the production of controlled substances is not regulated by Health Canada and/or can originate from unknown sources. A 63-year-old Wasaga Beach man from Sunrise Medicinal has been charged with drug trafficking and possession for the purpose of trafficking. A Coldwater man, 30, from Med West, has been charged with drug trafficking and drug possession for the purpose of trafficking. A 30-year-old Barrie man, also from Med West, has been charged with drug trafficking and possession for the purpose of trafficking. Another Barrie man, age 29, from Med West, has been charged with drug trafficking and possession for the purpose of trafficking. All four men have Barrie court dates on Sept. 28. The two Controlled Drug and Substance Act warrants were executed just after 11 a.m. on Tuesday, and closed the dispensaries. Police released information about the charges Wednesday. Denne said it's time for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government to take action on legalizing marijuana. "It was the feds who promised it. What are they doing to make it done more quickly? Trudeau should step up soon, or even tomorrow, and legalize it," Denne said. "It's time for it. Other countries are doing it. Why can't we? "It's going to be legalized one way or the other. Why not kill two birds (legalization and increased access to medicinal marijuana) with one stone?" - - with files from Bob Bruton - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom