Pubdate: Tue, 31 May 2016
Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)
Page: GT1
Copyright: 2016 The Toronto Star
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456
Authors: David Rider & Betsy Powell

POT DISPENSARIES URGE CITY TO DROP CHARGES

Local Liberal MP scoffs at councillor's request for guidance while 
waiting for legalization

Mitchell Cutler had just finished selling a THC-infused ointment to 
an arthritic woman - her "medicine" - when Toronto police showed up 
and charged him with possession for the purposes of trafficking.

"If these charges do stick, I guess my future is pretty much over," 
said the marijuana dispensary worker, who says he has never before 
been in trouble with police.

Cutler was at city hall Monday as part of a coalition of pot 
dispensaries urging the city to drop the charges laid by Toronto 
police following raids last Thursday.

Police and city municipal licensing officials targeted 43 locations 
last week, where 90 people were arrested. In all, 186 possession for 
the purpose of trafficking charges and 71 proceeds of crime charges 
were laid. Bylaw officers also laid 79 charges of zoning violations.

Even so, there was still pot being sold Monday in at least one 
storefront operation in Toronto.

"It's been busy all weekend," said Erin Goodwin, one of the managers 
of Cannabis Culture on Queen St. W. near Bathurst St. "A lot of 
people lost their access, so we're happy to provide."

Part of a Vancouver-based chain that will soon open another shop on 
Queen St. E. near Broadview Ave., Cannabis Culture says it asks 
buyers only for two pieces of identification to prove they are aged 
19 or older. The steady stream of customers that flowed Monday 
through the west-end location left with pot plants or oils in silver bags.

"Mayor John Tory has committed political suicide with young people," 
said customer John Neely, carrying a handmade sign stating: Fight 
crime not cannabis.

Speaking to reporters for the first time about the pot raids, the 
mayor defended police laying trafficking charges. Earlier this month, 
Tory sent a letter asking licensing staff to step up enforcement 
because so many "bogus" pot dispensaries had popped up across the city.

"Lots of laws might be changed in the coming months, but until such 
time as the law is changed the police have an obligation, not just a 
choice, but they have an obligation to enforce the law," he said.

As for dispensaries that continue to operate, Tory said: "All I can 
do is kind of throw my arms up a little bit and hope people would be 
responsible in the meantime."

Pot was on the agenda Monday at city hall, where the Toronto Board of 
Health unanimously endorsed a report by the Medical Officer of Health 
on the legalization and regulation of recreational cannabis. In it, 
Dr. David McKeown recommended the board urge the federal government 
to use a public-health approach when it moves to regulate and 
legalize pot in 2017. The board also supported Councillor Joe 
Cressy's motion urging the federal government to provide "immediate 
guidance on the sale and possession of recreational marijuana" 
pending forthcoming legalization.

"Cities across the country are struggling," Cressy said.

Responding to the board of health, former city councillor and now 
Liberal MP Adam Vaughan noted on Twitter that "illegal operations" 
are a local responsibility.

"Immediate guidance? The law's the law," he wrote. "Cities have the 
regulatory tools they need, police have the same laws they've always 
had. Not doing anything was (Toronto's) choice."

- - With files from Jennifer Pagliaro
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom