Pubdate: Wed, 21 Sep 2016
Source: Peterborough Examiner, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 Peterborough Examiner
Contact: http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/letters
Website: http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2616
Author: Joelle Kovach
Page: A1

POT STORE OWNER UNFAZED BY GRAFFITI

The windows at Cannabis Culture on George St. N. were found sprayed
with graffiti Tuesday morning, but supporters cleaned it up as a
courtesy to the pot shop owner.

Cannabis Culture has been closed since a police raid last
Thursday.

Store owner Richard Standen spent Friday night in jail, and is now out
on bail. On Tuesday morning, he rode by in a cab and noticed the graffiti.

Someone sprayed the word "Leave" in black paint on both the front and
side windows, and also painted a huge red X across the front door.

But Standen didn't have to clean it off.

In the time it took him to get out of a cab and buy cappuccino at
Natas Cafe down the street, people had arrived unbidden to help. As he
was drinking his coffee on the patio at Natas, his supporters cleaned
the windows.

"They expressed disdain toward whomever did it (vandalized the
storefront)," Standen said.

Though his bail conditions mean Standen isn't allowed back in the
store, he said the pot shop will reopen under other
supervision.

He wouldn't say exactly when; he said that will be up to the
company.

Marc Emery, the founder of Cannabis Culture, couldn't be reached for
comment on Tuesday. But while he was in Peterborough on Saturday for a
protest at the store, he said it would re-open by Wednesday at the
latest.

Meanwhile, one of Standen's employees was downtown at the same time on
Tuesday morning circulating a petition.

Maranda Gallant was leaving petitions in stores along George St.
N.

"We just want names," she said. "We want people to show everyone we're
here and we're going to stay."

Gallant said she will later collect the filled-out petitions and give
them to Peterborough Police Chief Murray Rodd and to
politicians.

Gallant, 21, was charged with trafficking marijuana on the day of the
police raid.

She was released from custody and is to appear in court Oct. 6, the
same day as Standen's next appearance.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt