Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Some city councillors have asked Ottawa police to explain what the force plans to do about the illegal pot shops operating across the city.
The chair of the Ottawa Police Services Board, Coun. Eli El-Chantiry, tabled an inquiry at Monday's meeting, saying some councillors and residents are concerned about the marijuana dispensaries popping up around town.
About 15 shops have opened, most since June.
Coun. Mathieu Fleury says he and several other councillors want them closed.
"I made it clear I don't think police have addressed the issue, and they are actually allowing criminal activity to expand and become even more visible," Fleury said. "These dispensaries are becoming more and more prevalent on our main streets, they are making storefronts, they are running illegal operations, what is police services doing to respond to these community concerns?"
A "strong police response" would force dispensary owners to rethink their business strategy of "trying to wedge themselves in there, even for a few months" while the federal government studies what regulations should be in place for recreational marijuana, said Fleury. The government has promised to introduce legislation to legalize pot in the spring.
Fleury first raised the issue with police months ago when two dispensaries opened in his ward on Montreal Road. The BIA for the area was also upset, because it had been trying to change the reputation of Montreal Road by attracting more desirable businesses like coffee shops and boutiques.
Fleury says many customers think the dispensaries are legal. Police are confounding the confusion by failing to take action as more shops open, he says.
All of the dispensaries say they cater to medical marijuana patients. Some require doctor's prescriptions, and the "bud tenders" who work at them give advice on what types of marijuana works for various medical conditions.
The federal government says the dispensaries are illegal, and their products are obtained from the black market. Medical marijuana is legal in Canada, but only if obtained from a producer licensed by Health Canada. Storefront sales are not allowed.
"It's like buying from a dealer on the street, basically, but they give you a nice storefront feel," says Fleury.
Cities across the country confront the same issue as hundreds of illegal dispensaries have opened. Police forces have taken varying approaches, from raiding the shops to allowing them to operate unless there is evidence of sales to minors, violence or illegal activity.
Ottawa police say they are aware of the dispensaries and are investigating them. Insp. Michael Laviolette said the police are having discussions with the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, which is responsible for prosecuting drug crimes.
There is a range of opinion on Ottawa council. Councillors Shad Qadri, Riley Brockington and Bob Monette oppose the dispensaries in their wards. Coun. Jeff Leiper says the dispensary in his Kitchissippi ward has not been an issue with residents, and it's not his place to interfere with the day-to-day operations of police. Coun. Catherine McKenney, who has several dispensaries in her downtown Somerset Ward, has not returned calls asking for comment, and Mayor Jim Watson has declined to be interviewed on the subject.
El-Chantiry said he made the inquiry to the police board because several councillors told him they are concerned about the dispensaries.
Many dispensary owners say they consider themselves to be operating in a "grey area" because Canadian courts have ruled that patients have the right to reasonable access to medical marijuana. The spokesman for Magna Terra Health Services, which runs two dispensaries in Ottawa, for instance, says he's willing to take the risk of being charged by police with drug trafficking because he believes he is helping people.
The Citizen has interviewed dozens of customers shopping at dispensaries over the last several months. They vary widely, from medical marijuana patients looking for a product not available from their Health-Canada approved grower to recreational pot users.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Councillors Ask Ottawa Police About Their Plans For Illegal Pot Shops
Author: Staff
Contact: 1-613-596-3664
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Ottawa Citizen
The chair of the Ottawa Police Services Board, Coun. Eli El-Chantiry, tabled an inquiry at Monday's meeting, saying some councillors and residents are concerned about the marijuana dispensaries popping up around town.
About 15 shops have opened, most since June.
Coun. Mathieu Fleury says he and several other councillors want them closed.
"I made it clear I don't think police have addressed the issue, and they are actually allowing criminal activity to expand and become even more visible," Fleury said. "These dispensaries are becoming more and more prevalent on our main streets, they are making storefronts, they are running illegal operations, what is police services doing to respond to these community concerns?"
A "strong police response" would force dispensary owners to rethink their business strategy of "trying to wedge themselves in there, even for a few months" while the federal government studies what regulations should be in place for recreational marijuana, said Fleury. The government has promised to introduce legislation to legalize pot in the spring.
Fleury first raised the issue with police months ago when two dispensaries opened in his ward on Montreal Road. The BIA for the area was also upset, because it had been trying to change the reputation of Montreal Road by attracting more desirable businesses like coffee shops and boutiques.
Fleury says many customers think the dispensaries are legal. Police are confounding the confusion by failing to take action as more shops open, he says.
All of the dispensaries say they cater to medical marijuana patients. Some require doctor's prescriptions, and the "bud tenders" who work at them give advice on what types of marijuana works for various medical conditions.
The federal government says the dispensaries are illegal, and their products are obtained from the black market. Medical marijuana is legal in Canada, but only if obtained from a producer licensed by Health Canada. Storefront sales are not allowed.
"It's like buying from a dealer on the street, basically, but they give you a nice storefront feel," says Fleury.
Cities across the country confront the same issue as hundreds of illegal dispensaries have opened. Police forces have taken varying approaches, from raiding the shops to allowing them to operate unless there is evidence of sales to minors, violence or illegal activity.
Ottawa police say they are aware of the dispensaries and are investigating them. Insp. Michael Laviolette said the police are having discussions with the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, which is responsible for prosecuting drug crimes.
There is a range of opinion on Ottawa council. Councillors Shad Qadri, Riley Brockington and Bob Monette oppose the dispensaries in their wards. Coun. Jeff Leiper says the dispensary in his Kitchissippi ward has not been an issue with residents, and it's not his place to interfere with the day-to-day operations of police. Coun. Catherine McKenney, who has several dispensaries in her downtown Somerset Ward, has not returned calls asking for comment, and Mayor Jim Watson has declined to be interviewed on the subject.
El-Chantiry said he made the inquiry to the police board because several councillors told him they are concerned about the dispensaries.
Many dispensary owners say they consider themselves to be operating in a "grey area" because Canadian courts have ruled that patients have the right to reasonable access to medical marijuana. The spokesman for Magna Terra Health Services, which runs two dispensaries in Ottawa, for instance, says he's willing to take the risk of being charged by police with drug trafficking because he believes he is helping people.
The Citizen has interviewed dozens of customers shopping at dispensaries over the last several months. They vary widely, from medical marijuana patients looking for a product not available from their Health-Canada approved grower to recreational pot users.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Councillors Ask Ottawa Police About Their Plans For Illegal Pot Shops
Author: Staff
Contact: 1-613-596-3664
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Ottawa Citizen
