Pubdate: Thu, 22 Sep 2016
Source: Alberni Valley News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 Alberni Valley News
Contact:  http://www.albernivalleynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4247
Webpage: http://www.albernivalleynews.com/news/394463011.html
Author: Katya Slepian

RCMP BUST POT SHOP

Port Alberni RCMP arrested five individuals at the West Side
Alternatives medical marijuana dispensary on Athol Street on Friday
morning.

Police entered the Athol Street dispensary at 10:15 a.m. on Sept. 16
under the authority of a search warrant and arrested three adult men
and two adult women. All five individuals were released until their
court appearances scheduled for Dec. 21.

Police also searched a related property on Highmoor
Road.

The investigation began in July 2016 and was led by the general
investigation unit.

Police recommended charges of possession of marijuana for the purpose
of trafficking for all five individuals arrested.

The RCMP will also be seeking additional charges including a
weapons-related charge and related drug production charges.

A sawed-off shotgun was also found on the Athol Street
property.

According to City of Port Alberni planner Scott Smith, West Side
Alternatives didn't have a licence.

"They were denied a business licence because they were less than 1,000
metres away from WeeMedical," said Smith.

Port Alberni became the second city in Canada (after Vancouver) to
regulate storefront marijuana dispensaries in early 2016.

Regulations included remaining 1,000 metres away from other
dispensaries, 300 metres away from schools, no minors on the premises
and only being allowed in general service commercial, highway
commercial and core business zones.

The City of Victoria has also taken steps to regulate storefront
dispensaries and will consider final approval of those bylaws on Sept.
22, with business licence and rezoning applications to be accepted in
October if the bylaws pass.

Storefront dispensaries currently remain illegal under federal laws,
although legalizing and regulating marijuana was one of the Liberal's
campaign promises.

According to the CBC, Canada's health minister told the United Nations
that the Liberals will introduce legislation legalizing marijuana in
the spring of 2017.
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MAP posted-by: Matt