Pubdate: Sun, 29 May 2016
Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)
Page: A3
Copyright: 2016 The Toronto Star
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456
Author: Lisa Wright

DOPE RAIDS FIRE UP POT CONVENTION

Industry Folk at Lift Cannabis Expo All Abuzz Over Cop Crackdown on 
Toronto's Marijuana Dispensaries

Toronto resident Vicki Trueman swears by cannabis oil to treat her 
chronic migraines and insomnia, as do some of her friends who suffer 
from seizures and depression.

Though she and her pals have doctors' prescriptions to access the 
medicine legally, Trueman said she has no problem with people buying 
it for recreational use, particularly on the cusp of legalization in Canada.

And, echoing the overwhelming sentiment at the Lift Cannabis Expo, 
she said it's "ridiculous" that Toronto police raided 43 pot 
dispensaries Thursday, just two days before Canada's biggest cannabis 
convention welcomed thousands of industry people from around the world.

"It makes me very angry. They're trying to frighten and intimidate 
people who have run these businesses for years," said Trueman, who 
cruised the booths at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on Saturday 
afternoon.

Ilya Strashun, who manned the Cannascribe booth to promote the 
company's longtime medical marijuana prescription service, agreed the 
arrests and charges were unnecessary, given the federal Liberal 
government has pledged to make it legal as early as next spring.

"It's upsetting because Toronto and Canada are going to go that way 
no matter what and the recreational side will be a huge part of the 
market," he said.

Strashun added it's important for people to have access to a safe 
product rather than face the risks associated with buying unregulated 
products on the street.

Staff from Cannabis As Living Medicine, or CALM, still set up their 
exhibit and promoted various products, from vaporizers to grinders 
and lighters to "Weed The North" T-shirts, despite having seen three 
of their locations in Toronto shut down in the raid, dubbed Project Claudia.

"It's all political. It's all a cash grab," said one CALM employee 
who did not wish to be named.

"In the meantime, sick people are calling us and crying that they 
need their medicine and we can't help them," he said.

But he doesn't expect the CALM dispensaries - located on Church St., 
Breadalbane St. and Eglinton Ave. W. - to stay closed for long, 
vowing to be back in business as soon as possible.

Despite the fear surrounding the Toronto crackdown, Mary Mullin and 
her husband came from Montreal hoping to get information at the expo 
on how to set up their own dispensary once Ottawa tables legislation, 
expected in April 2017.

"It's the future," said the retiree, who sees it as a potential 
business opportunity.

"You don't want to spend $100,000 on product and set it up the wrong 
way, so we're here to find out how it's done," added Mullin.

Hill+Knowlton Canada presented research the firm conducted recently 
with 1,000 people across the country and found the vast majority of 
people have pondered the legalization of marijuana and that it's on 
their radar.

"It's not a fringe issue; it's a mainstream issue," said Elliot 
Gauthier, a national director and vice-president of the company.

The president of Tweed Inc., a medical marijuana company based in 
Smiths Falls, Ont., said Canada is being watched internationally on 
the proper approach to legalization.

"It's a great opportunity for Canadians to show the rest of the world 
we can sell cannabis and not have any problems," said Mark Zekulin.

Mat Beren, of House of the Great Gardener, a licensed marijuana plant 
seed provider on Vancouver Island, said he was kicked out of Friday's 
press conference on the raids when he loudly asked Toronto police 
Chief Mark Saunders for evidence of any physical harm caused by marijuana.

Still, he said some dispensaries need a wake-up call, because they 
are "pushing the boundaries" of what they are allowed to sell to the public.

"They are selling three times as much as licensed producers," noted Beren.

The trade show floor has 130 companies selling everything from 
hydroponic grow-op lighting and mega bongs to sharp, antibacterial 
scissors for more precise herb trimming.

A "vape lounge" hosted a steady flow of people using vaporizers while 
cooking demonstrations - showing how to incorporate medical marijuana 
into everyday healthy meals including pesto chicken sandwiches, salad 
dressings and smoothies - were also popular.

There was a lighthearted side to the conference, with a few 
exhibitors wearing fake pot plant necklaces and green wigs. The 
reusable Lift Expo convention bag handed out to attendees had a quote 
on it from Canadian actor and pot enthusiast Seth Rogan: "Let's Be 
Blunt - It's Good."

The convention ends Sunday at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 online and at the door.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom