Pubdate: Wed, 08 Apr 2015
Source: Nanaimo Daily News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Nanaimo Daily News
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1608
Author: Spencer Anderson
Page: A3

RCMP RAID COMPASSION CLUB OVER ALLEGED MARIJUANA SALES

Oceanside RCMP executed a search warrant on a Parksville compassion
club last Thursday, seizing an unspecified amount of dried marijuana
and cannabis based products, as well as cash.

Police carried out the search at 3:30 p.m at the Phoenix Pain
Management Society, located at 120 Middleton Ave. in Parksville.

RCMP spokesman Cpl. Jesse Foreman said investigators have asked that
details of the search and seizure of property not be disclosed as the
matter is before the courts.

A 29-year-old man who was on the premises at the time the search was
carried out was arrested. He was later released on a promise to appear
in provincial court.

Police are recommending a charge of possession for the purpose of
trafficking against the man.

The Phoenix Pain Management Society, which also operates a location in
Nanaimo, was contacted by the Daily News Tuesday.

But a request for comment was directed to Phoenix's lawyer Kirk
Tousaw, who works mainly with clients charged with cannabis offences
and people or organizations in the medical cannabis industry,
according to his website. Tousaw was not available for comment.

According to Phoenix's website, the club offers a "variety of top
quality medical grade marijuana and marijuana products."

In a press release issued Saturday, the RCMP said the action taken
against Phoenix was "as a result of their alleged failure to operate
within the current legal framework . . . under the medical marijuana
access regulations."

Under current regulations, dried medical marijuana for medical
purposes must be distributed through licensed commercial producers who
are regulated.

"All businesses in our community are expected to operate within the
law," said Staff Sgt. Brian Hunter in the release.

"In a case where they are alleged to not be doing so, we have a
responsibility to our community to take action."

There were 20 licensed producers in Canada as of November, according
to Health Canada.

Police say an investigation is ongoing.
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MAP posted-by: Matt