Arrests at marijuana store

by The Canadian Press | CASTANET - Apr 29, 2015 / 6:45 pm
Vancouver police have raided a marijuana store and arrested several staff members, just one day after city council voted to hold public consultations on regulating pot shops. An investigation into Weeds Glass and Gifts on the city's west side began in March after police were alerted to public safety concerns, including the hospitalization of a 15-year-old who allegedly bought edible products and other incidents involving youth, police said in a statement. Officers obtained a search warrant and on Wednesday entered the illegal business, arrested staff and seized evidence. Customers and staff at the store on West 4th Avenue were identified and released pending further investigation, police said. "Our priority remains focused on violent drug traffickers and those who prey on youth and the marginalized in our community," police said in a news release. "However, these shops are all illegal and the VPD will continue to respond to concerns and take incremental steps to decide if further investigation or enforcement action is required." The raid comes as the city considers a proposal to regulate the illegal medical marijuana dispensaries that have multiplied in the past few years across Vancouver. Council members voted to refer the issue to a public hearing. On Tuesday, Health Minister Rona Ambrose and Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney sent a letter to council and the Vancouver Police Department warning that storefronts selling marijuana are illegal and urging them to uphold the law. The VPD said Wednesday that it has obtained nine search warrants against dispensaries in the past 18 months, and warned operators that they could face criminal charges and asset forfeiture. (more)