Pubdate: Tue, 27 Apr 2010
Source: Expositor, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2010 Sun Media
Contact: http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/feedback1/LetterToEditor.aspx
Website: http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1130
Author: Daniel Pearce

RESIDENTS CATCH A WHIFF OF STOREFRONT OPERATION

DELHI -A new storefront business in Delhi that provides  information 
on how to get marijuana for medical  purposes has left residents 
concerned and confused,  Norfolk's police services board was told.

"There is considerable concern in the community," Delhi  Coun. Mike 
Columbus said during last week's meeting.  "People stop me on the street."

Former Delhi mayor Roger Vermeulen, who also sits on  the board, 
echoed those sentiments.

"I have all kinds of people on the street asking me  what's going 
on," said Vermeulen.

Delhi resident Rick West, who holds a federal licence  allowing him 
to grow marijuana for people who need it  for medical purposes, 
recently opened Highly  Recommended Plus on King Street. His sign, 
which faces the town's main commercial street, includes a 
giant  marijuana leaf.

West, who has been convicted on drug charges in the  past, said he 
has transformed himself into a legitimate  businessman providing 
relief for the sick.

Under law, doctors can prescribe marijuana to ease pain  and treat a 
number of diseases, including arthritis,  cancer, multiple sclerosis, 
and Tourette Syndrome.

Columbus said he visited the business and was assured  it would 
provide information on how to legally obtain  marijuana, not sell the 
drug out of the storefront.

The public, however, remains "confused," Vermeulen said.

"There are all kinds of things people don't understand.  I don't know 
exactly what is taking place."

The situation, Vermeulen said, "begs for more  information." The 
business, he warned, could pose a  "security issue" if people try to 
"rip them off."

Norfolk OPP Staff Sgt. Rick Tout said he was unaware of  the 
storefront, but knew of West's growing operation in  greenhouses in 
Norfolk County.

"We had a number of incidents last year in relation to  this medical 
marijuana," Tout said.

Last year, police raided one of West's greenhouse  operations and 
charged him with growing more than what  his licence allows. The case 
is still before the  courts.

Police board chair Peter Hellyer noted the county is  ideally suited 
for growing the crop because of all the  vacant greenhouses that were 
used for tobacco.

Hellyer described it as a potential "growth industry."
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart