Pubdate: Tue, 28 Nov 2017
Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON)
Copyright: 2017 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact:  http://www.ottawacitizen.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326
Author: Ken Robson
Page: A9

THE CHALLENGE OF SHUTTING A POT SHOP

Re: Judge blasts Ottawa police for failing to shut down illegal 
marijuana shops, Nov. 18; Police as frustrated over pot shops as this 
judge is, Nov. 25.

When the CannaGreen Marijuana Dispensary opened on St. Joseph
Boulevard in Orleans, I was concerned. I knew what was being sold in
such dispensaries in Colorado and Washington. Some of the best-sellers
are products such as soft drinks, cookies and bars infused with
cannabis. I have 10 grandchildren in this Orleans neighbourhood and I
don't want them exposed to these dangerous and illegal products.

In an effort to have the St. Joseph pot shop shut down, I contacted my
MP, Andrew Leslie. I also sent a letter to Minister of Public Safety
and Emergency Preparedness Ralph Goodale and made a formal complaint
to the OIPRD (Office of the Independent Police Review Director). I
eventually received responses from all three.

MP Leslie stated he would get back to me when he had further
information. Minister Goodale sent a lengthy response stating that
"law enforcement will continue to dismantle illegal stores based on
local operational priorities."

In the response to my "Public Complaint: Ottawa Police Service OIPRD 
Complaint Number: 160009689," dated Sept. 30, 2016, in which I charged 
the Ottawa police with gross dereliction of duty and wilful neglect of 
their responsibility to uphold the law by allowing the trafficking of 
illegal drugs, including marijuana infused products, I was advised by 
the OIPRD case management department that my complaint had been 
reviewed; however, the CannaGreen Marijuana Dispensary had since been 
raided by the police on Nov. 4. 2016, and the director had decided it 
was not in the public interest to investigate my complaint.

Canadian citizens can't make beverages or other food products and sell
them for profit without a permit. If we were licensed to do so, we
would be inspected by bylaw enforcement to ensure we were operating
within the Food and Drugs Act and Regulations. We would have to
collect tax on the product and file income tax as required by the
Canada Revenue Agency.

Taxpayers pay the wages of all the people involved in supporting this
ongoing illegal activity. It is up to the likes of Minister Goodale,
Minister of Health Jane Philpott and Justice Minister Jody
Wilson-Raybould to ensure that the laws of this country are upheld.

 From this citizen's perspective, if you are not part of the solution
you are part of the problem. If we can't find a solution for this
problem, we are incompetent and should never be trusted with the
serious management of our community.

Ken Robson, Orleans
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MAP posted-by: Matt