RCMP again swoop in on Langford pot shop
City files injunction to block dispensary that was first shut the day after opening
West Shore RCMP have once again moved to shut down Langford’s first and only pot shop, arresting two people and seizing marijuana on Wednesday.
Mounties executed a search warrant at Green Tree Medical Dispensary at 108-688 Granderson Rd.
“The storefront had illegally reopened its doors over the weekend contrary to municipal and federal regulations,” said West Shore RCMP spokesman Const. Alex Bérubé.
No charges have been laid and Bérubé said the investigation is ongoing.
The City of Langford has also filed a civil injunction to shut down the dispensary.
If the business contests the injunction, the matter could end up before the courts.
If the court finds the business is in breach of Langford’s bylaws, it will make an order to cease and desist operations.
West Shore RCMP tried to enter the store on Saturday, according to employee Harley Thompson, but he locked the doors and asked if officers had a warrant.
The officers said they would be back with one.
Thompson said on Monday the store planned to keep minimum product on site in the event the police returned.
The store was first shut down on Jan. 17, the day after it opened. Marijuana was seized but no charges were laid.
West Shore RCMP repeated their stance that there is no legal mechanism in Canada that allows for medicinal marijuana dispensaries or compassion clubs to sell marijuana to the public, regardless of whether the purchasing individuals have licences to possess marijuana or whether the vendor has a licence to produce it. Any businesses or individuals that contravene the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and Health Canada regulations could face investigation and criminal charges.
On Monday, Nanaimo RCMP shut down a cannabis dispensary that was located next to a daycare.
A 24-year-old man was arrested and marijuana was seized after the raid at Lead Labs, which opened Friday at 679 Terminal Ave., next to Kids Kompany day care.