Pubdate: Wed, 30 Nov 2016
Source: Yorkton This Week (CN SN)
Copyright: 2016 Yorkton This Week
Contact:  http://www.yorktonthisweek.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2543
Author: Thom Barker

POT DISPENSARY OWNER CHARGED

Illegal medical marijuana dispensaries are not just for big cities
anymore. Earlier this month, RCMP made good on a September 2015 Health
Canada warning threatening to shut down Martin Medical Services in
Whitewood.

In a raid on the business and home of owner Jerry Martin November 8,
police seized undisclosed quantities of marijuana, hash oil and cash
along with cellphones, computers and three vehicles. He is charged
with trafficking marijuana, possession of marijuana, trafficking
cannabis resin, possession of cannabis resin, possession of proceeds
of crime, trafficking proceeds of crime and laundering proceeds of
crime.

Martin has become something of a folk hero to some in the town of 950
approximately one hour south of Yorkton and a villain to others.

Since he opened the business four years ago, Martin has donated an
estimated $115,000 to various organizations including large sums to
the Whitewood Swimming Pool, Whitewood Community Health Centre and
Whitewood/Chacachas Rodeo.

Not everybody has accepted Martin's money, however. The Whitewood Fire
Board refused a $10,000 offer.

Following an initial court appearance November 9, intense media and
public interest in the case prompted Whitewood mayor Doug Armstrong
and the town council to issue a statement in a press release.

"The personal/collective opinions of Mayor and Council are of no
consequence in this situation," the document stated. "Mayor and
Council do not direct the actions of the RCMP, as their actions are
guided by the laws of our province and country. Mayor and Council
respect the legal process and have no role in influencing the outcome
of this legal matter."

Martin slammed Armstrong in a letter-to-the-editor published in the
November 25 edition of the Whitewood Herald for not taking a stand in
support of Martin Medical Services and pleading with the community to
back his legal battle.

A self-described "activist" Martin told CTV news after the November 9
court appearance that he will not stop fighting for the right to run
the business.

"We have been raided and unconstitutionally shut down and charged
after four years," a banner at the top of his website now reads. "[One
thousand] members will suffer over greed from the Liberal
Government."

A Go Fund Me campaign has so far raised close to $6,000 of a $50,000
goal to mount a constitutional challenge against the existing
regulations.

Medical marijuana currently exists in a grey area of the law. It is
legal to use with a prescription and to grow a limited quantity for
personal use as long as the grower has registered to do so with Health
Canada under new Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes regulations
introduced in August.

There are also a limited number (36) of larger scale licenced
producers who are "authorized to produce and sell to the public may
sell or provide dried marijuana, fresh marijuana, cannabis oil, or
starting materials to eligible persons," according to the Health
Canada website.

Businesses such as Martin's are illegal, but are often ignored by
authorities. Some cities, such as Vancouver, BC, have actually started
to regulate dispensaries with licencing agreements, although they
remain illegal under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Nevertheless, medical pot is a very low priority for many law
enforcement agencies, particularly in large cities.

Martin's case was again before provincial court judge Ross Green
November 23, who adjourned it to December 7. Martin has retained Kirk
Tousaw, a British Columbia-based attorney who specializes in medical
cannabis compliance.

The federal Crown has assigned Saskatoon prosecutor Robin Neufeld.
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MAP posted-by: Matt