Pubdate: Wed, 04 May 2016
Source: Peninsula News Review (CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 Black Press
Contact:  http://www.vicnews.com/eeditions/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1373
Author: Steven Heywood

SIDNEY DISPENSARY RAIDED BY POLICE

Lawyer says they will challenge arrest

RCMP arrested one person at Sidney's Dispensary by the Sea after
serving a search warrant there Thursday, April 28.

The lawyer representing the Dispensary acknowledges the store does
sell medicinal marijuana - and is therefore in contravention of
current laws - but added those current laws have been found
unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of Canada.

Kirk Tousaw, who represents marijuana dispensaries across the country,
said should charges be filed by the Crown following the arrest of one
employee, he would challenge it based on a lack of public interest in
prosecution and likelihood of conviction. He said that stance has so
far worked after four dispensaries in Nanaimo were raided by police in
November, 2015.

Police searched the Dispensary by the Sea on Second Street in Sidney,
which has been open for only a few months. According to the Sidney
North Saanich RCMP, officers executed a warrant under the Controlled
Drugs and Substances Act and seized various items. Charges are pending
against one person.

It is currently illegal for anyone to operate storefront pot shops.
Health Canada states the only legal way for registered users of
medicinal marijuana to receive it is to order it directly from a
licenced producer and have it mailed directly to them.

Tousaw said with the federal government poised to make changes to
Canada's pot laws, the operators of dispensaries are operating in a
legal grey area.

"The view is, and based on case law, Health Canada is obliged to
provide reasonable access to cannabis," he said. "Those dispensaries
are at the heart of access to medicinal marijuana in this country."

Tousaw added the Dispensary by the Sea served approximately 2,000
people in "the Sidney area."

He added the Dispensary by the Sea required its clients to become
members and they must have a diagnosis from a "medical practitioner"
and must not engage in reselling of the product.

Owners of the Dispensary by the Sea had applied in January of this
year to the Town of Sidney for a business license to sell medicinal
marijuana. The Town stated at the time they would not grant the
permit. However, a re-application for a permit under the health and
wellness centre category was granted as it is a permitted use under
current Town bylaws.

The Town added at the time that if the business was found to be
selling marijuana, it would fall to the police to enforce current laws.
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MAP posted-by: Matt