Pubdate: Thu, 18 Aug 2016 Source: Peterborough Examiner, The (CN ON) Page: A7 Copyright: 2016 Peterborough Examiner Contact: http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/letters Website: http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2616 Author: Pete Fisher MARIJUANA DISPENSARY RAIDED OPP arrest owner of operation that opened at Alderville First Nation two months ago on drug trafficking charge ALDERVILLE - A new marijuana dispensary in Northumberland County was taken down by provincial police on Wednesday afternoon. The Ontario Provincial Police Central East Drug Unit, assisted by Northumberland OPP, executed a search warrant at South Shore Wellness - - Full Service Cannabis Dispensary located at 8987 Northumberland County Rd. 45 in Roseneath. The store selling marijuana to people with proper licenses opened about two months ago and has a steady business. Owner Tim Tucker said last week he was getting more seniors coming in and stated "it's done a good thing." When contacted after being released from custody Wednesday night, Tucker said "no comment" about the raid. Last week, Tucker indicated he along with each member of his staff have prescriptions for marijuana use which is the only way the Supreme Court allows "patient to patient transfer of medication." A number of types of marijuana were seized from the store and officers were on site for several hours documenting evidence. On the menu and in jars located behind the counter were items such as hash oil, and different types of product including Critical Mass, White Cookies, Rock Star, Sweet Tooth, Bruce Banner and White Widow. Among the items seized was a Zap Cane, which is a one million volt stun gun walking stick, complete with flashlight. A poster inside the store said marijuana was the "Devil's Harvest" and stated it was "the smoke of hell." On a refrigerator were magnets depicting the colours of food chains with different sayings like "Bonger King," and "Budway." "I smoked weed and nobody died" and "I scored HIGH on my drug test" were other magnets. Speaking Wednesday night, Alderville First Nation Chief Jim Bob Marsden said "I was surprised," but said he would likely know more on Thursday. Tucker said last week that he is negotiating with the Band Council in Alderville about leasing a building to grow marijuana. The building he is looking at leasing is 5,000 square feet. There is a community meeting scheduled for Aug. 24 in Alderville to get feedback on the proposed project. "Regulations have come out and they are favourable to us so we're going ahead with this community meeting to try to convince the Band to allow us to put a guarded (facility) on the reserve for patients," Tucker said at the time. On Aug. 11, Health Canada issued a statement concerning access to cannabis for medical purposes. "Storefronts selling marijuana, commonly known as 'dispensaries' and 'compassion clubs' are not authorized to sell cannabis for medical or any other purposes. These operations are illegally supplied, and provide products that are unregulated and may be unsafe. Illegal storefront distribution and sale of cannabis in Canada are subject to law enforcement action. "Under the ACMPR (Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations), Canadians who have been authorized by their health care practitioner to access cannabis for medical purposes will be able to produce a limited amount of cannabis for their own medical purposes, or designate someone to produce it for them. They will also continue to have the option of purchasing safe, quality-controlled cannabis from one of the 34 producers licensed by Health Canada. "Individuals wishing to produce a limited amount of cannabis for their own medical purposes, or to designate someone to produce it for them, will need to obtain authorization from their health care practitioner and register with Health Canada. Additional information on how to register and legally purchase starting materials will be available on Health Canada's website on Aug. 24." Three people were taken into custody, but Tucker was the only person charged on Wednesday. He was arrested at the store, but later released from custody pending a court appearance. He is facing a charge of possession for the purpose of trafficking and the investigation is continuing with further charges possible. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom