Pubdate: Sat, 17 Sep 2016
Source: Peterborough Examiner, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 Peterborough Examiner
Contact: http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/letters
Website: http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2616
Author: Joelle Kovach
Page: A1

CANNABIS CULTURE OWNER OUT ON BAIL AFTER RAID

Richard Standen, the owner of the Cannabis Culture at 382 George St.
in downtown Peterborough, walked away from court on bail Friday
afternoon after being arrested in a city police raid Thursday.

Standen didn't say whether he's reopening the store.

But he said outside the Ontario Court of Justice on Simcoe Street that
he still believes anyone should be able to use pot.

"I'm a firm believer - my beliefs don't change," Standen
said.

Standen was arrested around the noon hour Thursday after city police
executed a Controlled Drugs and Substance Act search warrant at the
store.

Marijuana and cash was seized in the raid, Sgt. Dan MacLean
stated.

Standen, 62, of Wecker Drive in Oshawa, was charged with trafficking
marijuana, possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking and
possession of the proceeds of crime.

He is to appear in court next on Oct. 6.

Maranda Gallant, 21, of Brock Street, was also charged with
trafficking marijuana.

She was released from custody and is also to appear in court Oct.
6.

Officers entered the store just before noon on Thursday, taking the
pair away in a cruiser and removing several recycling boxes filled
with the marijuana products sold at the shop.

City police Deputy Chief Tim Farquharson said Wednesday that the
store's customers could also face charges. But by late Thursday there
was no word of such charges having been laid.

After spending the night in jail on Thursday, Standen said he was
relieved to be set free Friday afternoon.

"Honestly, it's nice to be out," he said. On Thursday night, a
demonstration was organized to object to the police raid.

Marijuana advocate Marc Emery, the founder of the Cannabis Culture
company, said he is planning to hold a protest at the Peterborough
Police station on Saturday.

Standen hadn't heard about this until reporters told him as he was
leaving court Friday.

He smiled when he was told Emery was coming to stage the
demonstration.

Emery told in a phone interview from his home in Toronto on Thursday
that he is happy to stand up for Standen.

"He's such a decent person - and he loves his little store," Emery
said.

The protest starts at 1 p.m. Saturday, and is expected to continue
until 4:20 p.m.
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MAP posted-by: Matt