Pubdate: Sat, 13 May 2017
Source: Record, The (Kitchener, CN ON)
Copyright: 2017 Metroland Media Group Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.therecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/225
Author: Liz Monteiro
Page: B1

POLICE RAID KITCHENER MARIJUANA DISPENSARY

KITCHENER - Waterloo Regional Police raided a marijuana dispensary in
Kitchener on Thursday.

Insp. Mike Haffner said police arrested two people and two others
remain at large in connection with selling marijuana at the business.

The raid occurred at 10:45 a.m. at the KW Dispensary at 1421 Victoria
St. N., near Lackner Boulevard.

Property seized from the location included marijuana and cannabis
products such as edible treats along with money.

Police said the business owners received numerous letters telling them
to close the business, which is considered illegal, or face a police
crackdown.

Police raided another Kitchener dispensary - Green Tree Medical
Dispensary on King Street East - in March. It reopened a month later
but closed again after warnings from police.

The federal government has said it wants to legalize recreational
marijuana use by July 2018, but until then the businesses are illegal,
Haffner said.

Police say four men will be facing charges including possession of an
illegal drug for the purpose of trafficking.

Haffner said even though these businesses may be approved by Health
Canada to offer medicinal marijuana, they cannot set up a storefront
business.

"It is still illegal to sell marijuana either hand to hand on the
street or at the quasi-dispensaries," he said.

Police encourage the public to report the unlawful sale of any
controlled substance by calling 519-653-7700 or Crime Stoppers at
1-800-222-8477.
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MAP posted-by: Matt