Pubdate: Wed, 04 Nov 2015
Source: StarPhoenix, The (CN SN)
Copyright: 2015 The StarPhoenix
Contact: http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/400
Author: Charles Hamilton
Page: 4

POLICE RESPOND TO OUTRAGE OVER POT BUST

The recent police raid on the Saskatchewan Compassion Club set off a
war of words between the club's operator and police.

The case against the dispensary's owner and the club's employees is
still before the courts, but on Tuesday Saskatoon police issued a news
release in "an attempt to clarify public statements" made by the
medical marijuana dispensary owner.

The police maintain that Mark Hauk and three others were dealing drugs
when they sold marijuana to patients at the unregulated storefront
dispensary.

The police statement said investigators were worried that allowing
Hauk to operate with impunity would encourage other clubs to open and
sell marijuana illegally.

"At this time, it is a criminal offence to have in your possession or
to sell (traffic) marijuana or its derivatives," the news release stated.

Hauk acknowledges that his dispensary was operating outside Health
Canada's regulations.

He also says he knows it's illegal to provide marijuana concentrates
and oils to patients - which he admits he was doing.

Even after spending a night in jail and facing a host of trafficking
charges, he stands by the decision, he said.

"It's very much outside the regulations. The whole point is the
regulations are bad," Hauk said in an interview on Tuesday.

Hauk also disputes the claims made by police that he was manufacturing
marijuana resin inside his home.

"I will tell you this: The accusations that I ran a dangerous drug lab
in my home, and possessed three kilos of resin I made, are complete
and absolute lies based on no facts whatsoever," Hauk said.

According to Hauk, the "resin" seized by police was actually frozen
juice made from cannabis but with no psychoactive properties.

He said the juice was given to him as a gift.

"I don't even know how to make cannabis resin," Hauk
said.

In the news release, police said that although the new Liberal
government has promised to legalize marijuana, the party has also
promised strict regulations on who can sell the drug and how.

Hauk said that he agrees entirely with legalization and the idea of
strict regulations, and the city should be prepared for legalized marijuana.

"They're going to have dispensaries both medical and legal in this
city, and they're going to have to figure out how to deal with them.
Prohibition is done," Hauk said.

Hauk was emotional when speaking about the outpouring of support from
people and patients since the bust.

"Some moments are easier than others. We built a lot of relationships
here with people who are genuinely suffering," he said.

"They're sympathetic and supportive, but they're also
sick."

Hauk is charged with eight counts of trafficking, plus one count of
production and one count of possessing the proceeds of crime.

Lane Britnell is also charged with eight counts of trafficking, plus
one each of possessing the proceeds of crime and production. Jaime
Michelle Hagel and Carson Ramsay Hagel are charged with four counts of
trafficking and one count of possessing the proceeds of crime. Ramsay
is charged with six counts of trafficking and one count of possessing
the proceeds of crime.
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