Winnipeg police have laid charges against the owner of a controversial medical marijuana shop that was raided earlier this week.
Glen Price, 54, the owner of Your Medical Cannabis Headquarters, was charged Wednesday with a number of drug-related offences including possession and trafficking before being released from custody.
Const. Jason Michalyshen says it's illegal to sell medical marijuana unless you are a licensed producer and have the proper documentation, saying otherwise it's just selling street drugs.
On Tuesday, police moved in to close the store and even removed the sign hanging from a shingle.
Price had been warned his business would be closed because he was not properly licensed, but his supporters held a rally last month and he reopened the store in defiance of the police order.
He has said he only provides the product to people with appropriate medical documentation and said he's helped hundreds of people since opening on July 1.
Earlier this year, Health Canada moved to make it legal for licensed providers to sell marijuana in everything from brownies to lip balm.
Vancouver became the first Canadian municipality to regulate medical marijuana dispensaries, requiring operators to pay a $30,000 licensing fee and locate at least 300 metres away from community centres, schools, and each other.
However, Michalyshen said officers don't know where Price's marijuana comes from, adding police are concerned for the public's safety.
(CJOB, CTV Winnipeg)
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