Pubdate: Thu, 06 Oct 2016
Source: Barrie Advance, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 Metroland Printing, Publishing and Distributing
Contact:  http://www.simcoe.com/barrie-on/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2192
Author: Jenni Dunning

MARIJUANA DISPENSARY REOPENS AFTER RECENT POLICE RAIDS

Sunrise Medicinal has reopened its doors less than a month after
Barrie police raided it and another marijuana dispensary, charging
five men with drug offences.

An employee answering the phone at Sunrise said the downtown store is
not selling marijuana, just providing information about medical
cannabis, and he directed this reporter to an online City of Barrie
suggestion forum where a post urges Sunrise be able to again sell marijuana.

"Why would you shut down a dispensary that, first and foremost, helped
people who had documented medical issues? They operated in full view,"
wrote the poster, whose name is listed as Marissa. "Because of Sunrise
and dispensaries like it, people like me have been able to get off of
all my pharmaceuticals. We are talking 20 years of opioids. I manage
my pain and medical issues with medical marijuana. You have now forced
me to start buying from questionable sources and questionable product."

As of Wednesday, the post had nearly 100 votes. Suggestions need 500
votes before Access Barrie will review them and potentially pass them
on to council.

Ward 2 Coun. Rose Romita said she has no problem with Sunrise
operating again as long as they are not doing anything illegal.

"I'm told they're only selling a consultation for a fee. I'm fine with
that. I don't think it will affect downtown," she said. "As long as
the police are happy with it, I'm fine with it. I think they're going
to be cautious (because) they know the police are right there."

Romita said Med West, the other dispensary raided by police Aug. 30,
opened for three days within the past month but does not know if it is
still open. She said Sunrise does not appear to be open every day.

Lights are off at Med West store and phone calls are met with a
notification the voicemail is not yet set up.

Calls for comment to Sunrise owner Joseph Bidinot were not
returned.

Police charged the owner/operators and some employees of both
dispensaries with trafficking a controlled substance, possession for
the purpose of trafficking. They were all to appear in court Wednesday.

Barrie Police Const. Nicole Rodgers could not say if officers are
keeping tabs on the dispensaries, but she said the stores are allowed
to operate as long as they do not sell marijuana.

"After the scene is released, it's up to the building owner to
determine if a lease continues or not," she said. "The warrants we
would've executed would have included further education on the current
laws on the distribution of marijuana."
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MAP posted-by: Matt