Pubdate: Wed, 09 Dec 2015
Source: Nanaimo Daily News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Black Press, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.nanaimodailynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1608
Author: Darrell Bellaart

SOME CANNABIS RETAILERS LIMIT THEIR STOCK

Nanaimo medical cannabis retailers remain open after last week's RCMP 
bust, but some are now limiting stock on hand to control losses in 
case of another raid.

On Dec. 1 police raided three of 10 Nanaimo pot dispensaries, seized 
marijuana and cash and arrested everyone inside.

Phoenix Pain Management now keeps a small quantity of the drug on site.

"We have about 10 per cent of what we would normally have in stock," 
said Matt O'Donnell, community advocate with Phoenix.

Phoenix on Wallace Street and two other dispensaries, Trees on Bowen 
Road and Nature's Source Society on Front Street, were raided Dec. 1. 
Police said they had received complaints, including from a woman who 
claimed a dispensary sold pot to her 15-year-old granddaughter.

Dispensaries deny the charge.

RCMP could not be reached for comment. The Nanaimo detachment 
recently said no further comment is forthcoming during an active investigation.

Despite arrest fears, retailers say they have a duty to sick people 
get relief from the drug.

"We're here and available to our members. At the same time, we don't 
want to poke the bear," O'Donnell said. "We're being very respectful. 
They have guns and handcuffs."

Seven were arrested at Phoenix last week. All but one were given 
promise-to-appear notices, meaning police will recommend charges to 
the federal Crown.

Those arrested have to show up for fingerprinting in three to four 
months, and have been given conditions not to use cannabis in the 
interim. At Phoenix, police "only got about two ounces of cannabis" 
and "about $175," O'Donnell said.

The Nanaimo raids weren't isolated.

Two weeks ago Mission RCMP used search warrants on a marijuana 
dispensary in the community of Deroche, and the owners were arrested 
and released, pending charges.

Mounties also raided a Sunshine Coast dispensary and another Fraser 
Valley storefront last week. Five pot shops in the Okanagan were 
serve notice of possible actions to come.

No raids have occurred in communities with bylaws to regulate 
dispensaries, including Port Alberni, which is under RCMP jurisdiction.

O'Donnell speaks to city council on dispensary regulation at next 
week's council meeting.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom