Pubdate: Thu, 12 Mar 2015
Source: Chief, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Whistler Printing & Publishing
Contact: http://www.squamishchief.com/section/squamish0303&template=letter
Website: http://www.squamishchief.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2414
Author: Christine Endicott

RCMP CRACKS DOWN ON POT DISPENSARY

Owner Has Until March 19 to Close Shop in Squamish - or Face Consequences

Bryan Raiser's dream of continuing to operate his medical marijuana 
dispensary in Squamish may go up in smoke.

Raiser told The Squamish Chief that an RCMP officer visited with a 
letter that gave him until March 19 to close his 99 North Medical 
Cannabis Dispensary or face legal consequences.

"Now I have some hard decisions to make. I really want to continue 
helping our community by providing this service, but I can't be 
arrested. I can't lose my family because of this," he said in an 
interview Tuesday. "I am having a very hard time believing this is happening."

The dispensary, which Raiser opened on Feb. 16 at 37769 Second Avenue 
in downtown Squamish, offers marijuana in various forms, including 
dried cannabis, oils, edible and topical marijuana. Patients can 
obtain medical marijuana with a prescription from their health care 
practitioner that must be faxed to the dispensary or via documents 
confirming a diagnosis of specific conditions such as cancer, anxiety 
or arthritis, he explained.

A former district councillor who lost his seat in the November 
elections and a well known community volunteer, Raiser is the owner 
and sole employee of the dispensary.

The RCMP letter, delivered March 5, indicates, "they are not in a 
position to turn a blind eye," Raiser said. In the letter, RCMP refer 
to marijuana dispensaries as "illegal."

He believes the police want to "do the right thing" by allowing him 
to operate but cannot. "None of them are evil men, but granted, they 
do have to follow orders."

Raiser said he's been overwhelmed with positive responses from the 
patients who have been purchasing marijuana at the dispensary, and 
now he's hoping an outpouring of community support will help.

"I have to consider my options. I am not comfortable sacrificing my 
family and home to help the community. After 20 years of sacrificing 
for the community, I end up losing my house? I don't want to be 
charged," he said.

"I am hoping the community speaks as to what they want to see 
happen," said Raiser. "I have to figure it out. I really don't want 
to close the doors. I really don't think anybody wants those doors to 
close. But I am in possession of a letter that does not paint a 
pretty picture if the doors remain open."

Raiser said access to safe medicine is one of the rights upon which 
Canadian society is built. "Having to fight for it just seems wrong."

He hopes council will come forward by expressing support for the 
dispensary. "Council can't dictate what the RCMP do," he 
acknowledged, but added that "they have full power to change the RCMP budget."

Mayor Patricia Heintzman said the issue has not been discussed at 
council, but her personal belief is that marijuana has been proven to 
be beneficial medically for some.

"Whatever works for their health issues, they should be allowed to 
choose it and choose it safely," she said.

Raiser said he has invested his personal funds and also borrowed from 
others to open the shop. "I am in the hole for thousands. I am going 
to be losing a lot of money on this. There are a lot of very 
supportive people who were willing to lend me money for this."

But he said the worst effect will be on the patients who need a safe 
supply of marijuana to help them cope with medical conditions.

"I am going to have a very hard time saying, 'Back to the streets 
with you.' I don't know how I am going to do that, actually. I am 
devastated by this.... Every day, I am dealing with people crying in 
my office."

Raiser said he has not made a final decision on whether to close. 
"That's where it is leaning, but I haven't decided anything yet. I am 
weighing my options. I want the community to speak up about this, 
write letters, do what they can."

He questioned why Vancouver Police turn a blind eye to about 60 
medical marijuana dispensaries operating in the city while RCMP crack 
down on dispensaries in Squamish and Sechelt. "You know things are 
messed up when the RCMP are being put in a position to force 
vulnerable patients into alleys to get their medicine."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom