Pubdate: Wed, 19 Jun 2013
Source: Northern View, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 The Northern View
Contact:  http://www.thenorthernview.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4366
Author: Shaun Thomas

RAID AT SMOKE SHOP STINKS

Something smells about the seizure of pipes, bongs and grinders from 
The Chad Smoke Shop, and it's not the smell that is normally 
associated with those particular instruments.

Last Saturday, with warrant in hand, RCMP entered the store and 
seized the majority of the merchandise. Turns out this had been a 
six-month investigation into the shop that resulted in police 
confirming they were selling "drug paraphernalia used for illicit drug use".

Ignoring the fact that the same results from a six-month 
investigation could be found with a six-second stop into the store, 
this really raises a lot of questions that strike at the heart of the 
credibility of this seizure.

First and foremost, why The Chad Smoke Shop?

Const. Matt Ericson said this investigation was one that was started 
by the RCMP and not from a complaint by members of the public. Why 
would the RCMP go after a store that blocks its windows from public 
view and restricts minors from entering when there are other 
businesses in town that can be accessed by people of any age and 
prominently display and promote the sale of pipes and bongs?

Secondly, why now?

The law referenced by the RCMP is 25 years old and includes the sale 
of "instruments or literature" promoting the use of drugs. Guess no 
RCMP officer has been into any convenience store or major book shop 
that sells magazines like High Times or Canabis Culture.

Third, why Prince Rupert?

The Chad Smoke Shop currently has 19 locations around the country 
that have been operating for years - all with valid business licences 
in their respective community. Apparently the RCMP don't care about 
that, but they do when it is in Prince Rupert.

Should the police enforce the laws?

Absolutely. But it should be done equally.

I don't smoke marijuana, never have and probably never will, but I am 
a fan of fairness and equality. This just doesn't gel with those ideals.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom