Beyond Prohibition Foundation: Burnaby Medical Marijuana Dispensary Raided by RCMP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 28, 2011
Beyond Prohibition Foundation: Burnaby Medical Marijuana Dispensary Raided by RCMP

Almost 4 months after it opened without RCMP complaint, the Metrotown Medical Marijuana Dispensary was raided today by Burnaby RCMP. The Dispensary, the first in Burnaby, follows all the same rules and procedures established by other British Columbia dispensaries, and has offered full cooperation to both the City of Burnaby and the Burnaby RCMP. To date, no complaints have been received from either.

“At a time when the Courts are striking down the medical marijuana laws because sick and suffering Canadians can't access this medicine, I'm very surprised that Burnaby RCMP would take this step.” said Kirk Tousaw, Executive Director of the Beyond Prohibition Foundation. “We will, if necessary, vigorously pursue a defence on Charter grounds and I have every reason to think it will be successful.”

Medical marijuana advocates were shocked to hear of the raid, especially given the usually progressive stance with which the Burnaby RCMP approach federal laws, which are currently in a state of constitutional flux.

“Burnaby RCMP have typically been much more reasonable and thoughtful in regards to constitutionally questionable laws. They recently admitted that given the recent court decisions and limited resources, that they are aware of but not acting against a well known massage parlour adjacent to the detachment headquarters” said Jacob Hunter, Policy Director of the Beyond Prohibition Foundation. “Given that progressive and thoughtful attitude towards sex work, it's absolutely unbelievable that the RCMP would raid a legitimate medical marijuana dispensary that provides much needed medicine to sick people in the area”.

There have been a rash of medical marijuana dispensary raids across British Columbia in recent months, as the federal government commences a crackdown on medical and non-medical marijuana users. Reports from local governments and police indicate that increased pressure is coming from the Conservative government to shut down these dispensaries, in violation of court decisions. In many cases, crown counsel has not yet proceeded with charges against those arrested.

“The Conservative government is ignoring more than a decade of court decisions, massively restricting the medical marijuana program and instructing local police to conduct raids on medical marijuana dispensaries” said Jacob Hunter, Policy Director the Beyond Prohibition Foundation. “At the same time, we've seen a substantial increase in arrests for simple marijuana possession, attempts to pass mandatory minimum sentences for growing even a single marijuana plant, billion dollar increases in prison spending, and all while government is looking to cut billions from it's deficit. Why is Stephen Harper wasting taxpayer money on this ideological war against sick and dying Canadians over a plant that more Canadians want legalized than voted for Conservative candidates?”