Pubdate: Tue, 28 Nov 2017 Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON) Copyright: 2017 Postmedia Network Inc. Contact: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326 Author: Ken Robson Page: A9 THE CHALLENGE OF SHUTTING A POT SHOP Re: Judge blasts Ottawa police for failing to shut down illegal marijuana shops, Nov. 18; Police as frustrated over pot shops as this judge is, Nov. 25. When the CannaGreen Marijuana Dispensary opened on St. Joseph Boulevard in Orleans, I was concerned. I knew what was being sold in such dispensaries in Colorado and Washington. Some of the best-sellers are products such as soft drinks, cookies and bars infused with cannabis. I have 10 grandchildren in this Orleans neighbourhood and I don't want them exposed to these dangerous and illegal products. In an effort to have the St. Joseph pot shop shut down, I contacted my MP, Andrew Leslie. I also sent a letter to Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Ralph Goodale and made a formal complaint to the OIPRD (Office of the Independent Police Review Director). I eventually received responses from all three. MP Leslie stated he would get back to me when he had further information. Minister Goodale sent a lengthy response stating that "law enforcement will continue to dismantle illegal stores based on local operational priorities." In the response to my "Public Complaint: Ottawa Police Service OIPRD Complaint Number: 160009689," dated Sept. 30, 2016, in which I charged the Ottawa police with gross dereliction of duty and wilful neglect of their responsibility to uphold the law by allowing the trafficking of illegal drugs, including marijuana infused products, I was advised by the OIPRD case management department that my complaint had been reviewed; however, the CannaGreen Marijuana Dispensary had since been raided by the police on Nov. 4. 2016, and the director had decided it was not in the public interest to investigate my complaint. Canadian citizens can't make beverages or other food products and sell them for profit without a permit. If we were licensed to do so, we would be inspected by bylaw enforcement to ensure we were operating within the Food and Drugs Act and Regulations. We would have to collect tax on the product and file income tax as required by the Canada Revenue Agency. Taxpayers pay the wages of all the people involved in supporting this ongoing illegal activity. It is up to the likes of Minister Goodale, Minister of Health Jane Philpott and Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould to ensure that the laws of this country are upheld. From this citizen's perspective, if you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem. If we can't find a solution for this problem, we are incompetent and should never be trusted with the serious management of our community. Ken Robson, Orleans - --- MAP posted-by: Matt