Police raid pot dispensary and charge owner, who says he's caught in legal limbo
Hamilton police say they've raided an illegal marijuana dispensary in Hess Village and seized an estimated $75,000 in marijuana and related products.
But the owner of the dispensary —operating openly on George Street — says it's a waste of resources, and marijuana will likely be legal by the time he sees trial.
There hasn't been outcry of 'These guys are bad. Deal with them.'- Clint Younge,CEO of MMJ Canada
Police have charged Clint Younge of Hamilton, CEO of MMJ Canada, with possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking and possession of cannabis resin for the purpose of trafficking.
While police acknowledge laws are changing, the service said in a release it is bound to enforce laws as they now exist.
At MMJ, patients with medical marijuana prescriptions consult with a holistic doctor and obtain cannabis-related products, Younge said.
The dispensary opened in Hamilton on May 4, he said, and already has about 6,000 patients.
Changes coming
The federal Liberals have launched a task force to map a plan to legalize marijuana, and licensed growers can grow the plant. Younge said he gets his product from legal sources, through federally licensed growers. But it's still technically illegal to distribute marijuana.
Younge said the changes are so close that it's a waste of resources to prosecute him.
"Why there's such an aggressive approach in Ontario, I do not understand," said Younge, whose company has locations across Canada.
Members of the vice and drug unit used a search warrant at 118 George St. on Sept. 20, a police media release said on Wednesday. Officers learned that the business was selling marijuana and derivative products.
Policesay they seized marijuana and derivative products, including cannabis resin, THC-infused cough syrup and THC-infused soda, the release said.
Under current laws, police say, distributing marijuana is punishable.
"The federal government has committed to making changes to the laws and regulations in relation to marijuana," the release said.
Enforce the current law
"However, until such changes are proclaimed law, the present provisions of the controlled drugs and substances act in relation to the possession and sale of marijuana remain in force."
Hamilton Police Service isn't the only service that's cracked down. In May, Toronto police raided 43 storefronts arrested more than 90 people and laid 186 charges.
Younge said he's hired a lawyer, and his first court date is Nov. 2. He expects the case will drag on in court longer than it takes to enact federal marijuana legislation.
The company, he said, has been above board. His Hamilton clients include people with everything from Parkinson's disease to menopause.
"There hasn't been outcry of 'These guys are bad. Deal with them,'" he said. "We've been on the radio. We've been in the community."
Marijuana has popped up in varying public ways in Hamilton in the last two years.
Other medical marijuana stores have opened in Hamilton. Earlier this year, a licensed medical marijuana grower opened in Flamborough.