Pubdate: Fri, 21 Aug 2015
Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB)
Copyright: 2015 Winnipeg Free Press
Contact: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/send_a_letter
Website: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502
Author: Mike McIntyre
Page: B4

MARIJUANA MAN PRICE VOWS TO FIGHT ON

THE owner of a medical marijuana shop is vowing to fight criminal
charges - possibly while acting as his own lawyer - as part of a
service he feels he owes the community.

Glenn Price made his first court appearance Thursday. The matter was
adjourned until Sept. 3. He was charged with possession and
trafficking of marijuana, along with proceeds of crime, following an
Aug. 4 raid on his Main Street business, Your Medical Cannabis
Headquarters.

"If I can't raise enough money (to hire a lawyer), I'll defend
myself," Price said on the steps of the downtown Law Courts. He was
surrounded by a handful of supporters and former customers, including
one man who made a point of lighting up a joint as a woman tried to
pull him out of camera view.

"I opened this shop to give back to the community, not to put money in
my pocket," said Price. He vowed to keep fighting "as long as I can
keep educating the people of Winnipeg."

Security was noticeably increased for Price's appearance. Four
uniformed police officers were posted inside the courthouse, while
several sheriff's officers followed Price and his group into the courtroom.

"Don't shut ' em down, man," one passerby yelled in support as Price
spoke to media. "(Expletive) the cops," she added.

Another supporter stood by closely, wearing badges that stated
"Legalize Marijuana" and "I Love Elizabeth May" in reference to the
leader of the federal Green Party od Canada.

Price has reopened his medical marijuana shop at 1404-A Main St.
simply for "information only." He said the only thing he is now
dispensing is knowledge and advice, not drugs.

He has also started a petition he intends to deliver to city council
to encourage it to hold hearings about medical marijuana dispensaries
being allowed in Winnipeg.

Price opened the medical marijuana dispensary July 1 and has a
business licence from the province.

Although Price said he only sells his product to adults who have
prescriptions and who go through an assessment process with the store,
he is not licensed by Health Canada to sell medical cannabis, meaning
his operation is illegal. Police ordered him to stop sales on July 14,
only two weeks after he started.

He was made aware he risked being arrested if he continued to sell the
product. It is illegal to operate stores that sell medical marijuana
in Canada.

Marijuana is classified as a narcotic and is illegal for recreational
use.
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MAP posted-by: Matt