Pubdate: Thu, 15 Sep 2016
Source: Oshawa This Week (CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 Oshawa This Week
Contact:  http://www.durhamregion.com/oshawa-on-news
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1767
Author: Jeff Mitchell

DAYS AFTER SHUTTING DOWN, OSHAWA MARIJUANA DISPENSARY REOPENS IN 
DEFIANCE OF POLICE WARNING

DURHAM - Days after abruptly shuttering its doors, an Oshawa marijuana
dispensary has reopened, in defiance of a warning from Durham police.

The Emerald Triangle dispensary on Simcoe Street North has resumed
operations because clients are in need and buying pot on the street
isn't a safe alternative for them, said Irie Selkirk, a consultant who
spoke on behalf of the dispensary's owners.

"This location has chosen to reopen their doors," she said. "The
principals here received word from at least 40 patients who are having
significant health issues.

"They had people saying, now what do I do?"

The dispensary, which opened as GW Weed Emporium last spring, closed
its doors about a week ago; Selkirk said the move came after shop
owners received a letter from Durham police, informing them that the
operation was considered illegal.

Factoring into the decision to reopen was the fact that not every
dispensary currently operating received the same ultimatum from
police, Selkirk said.

She also noted a Toronto Star story last week that described how a
Durham police officer was given permission by the service to
participate in an unlicensed medical marijuana company.

A check with a nearby dispensary backed up Selkirk's claim that not
all operations have been issued warnings by police; an employee at
Temple dispensary on Bond Street in Oshawa wouldn't comment on the
record, but said the shop had received no notification from police.

Durham police aren't confirming any action taken to control marijuana
dispensaries, and gave no indication if other operations similar to
Emerald Triangle have been issued warnings.

"Any correspondence between us and a private business would be
private," Durham police spokesman Dave Selby said. "So that's not
something we would be confirming, if letters or correspondence have
gone out."

Emerald Triangle's owners are considering a number of options for the
future but in the interim intend to continue serving clients whose
doctors have recommended medical marijuana, Selkirk said. That
involves personal risk for workers who could be charged, she
acknowledged.

"They're putting themselves at risk but they're doing it for all the
right reasons," she said. "It is civil disobedience, but that's really
the only way positive change has ever been made."
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MAP posted-by: Matt