Pubdate: Wed, 09 Nov 2011
Source: Kamloops This Week (CN BC)
Copyright: 2011 Kamloops This Week
Contact:  http://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1271
Author: Jeremy Deutsch

POLICE RAID FOLLOWED BY CLOSURE

It was the scene of a pot seizure by Kamloops Mounties and, now, the
North Kamloops office of the Canadian Safe Cannabis Society will be
comparatively quite for at least the rest of the week.

The city has slapped the office at 405 Tranquille Rd. with a no-
occupancy order as part of the controlled substance and property
mediation bylaw.

The order was posted on the office's door on Monday, Nov. 7.

David Trawin, director of development and engineering services, said
it is routine for the city to place the order on a property after
police come across a grow-op or drug lab.

Trawin said the reasoning behind the bylaw is to ensure and health
hazards, such as mould or tampering with electrical panels, are
repaired before the building is occupied.

"From our point of view, the bylaw is for the health and safety of the
tenants," Trawin said.

On Nov. 1, Kamloops RCMP raided the society's storefront, seizing
marijuana, business records and computers.

Police also arrested  Carl Anderson of the Canadian Safe Cannabis
Society for allegedly obstructing justice.

Trawin noted city building inspectors toured the property with the
building's owner, who is not Anderson, and advised the owner of the
bylaw.

An assessment by an environmental-remediation professional must be
submitted to the city before the building can occupied.

Trawin said the owner indicated the assessment would be carried out
this week.

However, the city might not be done with Anderson.

Trawin said city hall is also considering fining Anderson due to
violations of his business licence.

Trawin said the business, which has a permit to operate as an
administration office, was not permitted to conduct retail sales or
operate as a lab.

Police believe the Canadian Safe Cannabis Society had been operating
outside the law - in violation of the Controlled Drugs and Substances
Act and federal medicinal-marijuana access regulations.

The society opened earlier this year and remains the only so-called
compassion club in the Kamloops area.
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MAP posted-by: Matt