Green rush reaches Montreal: multiple recreational marijuana dispensaries to open Thursday
its a great sign of things to come!
A Canadian chain of recreational marijuana dispensaries is planning to open multiple locations in Montreal on Thursday.
Cannabis Culture, which operates dispensaries in 12 locations across British Columbia and Ontario, said it will announce the new Montreal locations on Dec. 14. They will open their doors to the public the next day.
Their policy is to sell marijuana to anyone over the age of 19 and require a photo ID. They do not require a membership or a medical note. That means that under current federal law they operate illegally.
"All adults should have access to cannabis in an open manner," said Jodie Emery, who is the co-owner of Cannabis Culture with her husband Marc Emery, also known as Canada's "Prince of Pot."
"We've always pushed the boundaries, we use civil disobedience."
Emery said the dispensaries will serve as an example of what Canada's legalization model should look like. The locations to be opened in Montreal will be operated by a franchisee, she said.
The store will be supplied by growers in B.C. as well as local producers. Emery explained that she sees Cannabis Culture as a stepping stone for those growers to begin to transition into a legitimate operation ahead of legalization.
Federal legislation to legalize marijuana is expected to be tabled this spring. However, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that he wants local police forces to continue to enforce the law and criminally charge operators of illegal marijuana dispensaries.
Cannabis Culture operates dispensaries in 12 locations across British Columbia and Ontario. (CBC)
Police raids
Cannabis Culture dispensaries have had run-ins with police in the past. Over the summer a number of their dispensaries were raided by police in Ontario.
Employees have been charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime.
Cannabis Culture provides a lawyer for employees if they are arrested and charged.
Emery said she has not yet spoken to Montreal police, but is hoping for a face-to-face meeting.
"Hopefully we can engage with the local community and authorities to explain why these peaceful businesses should be allowed to operate," said Emery, adding that their dispensaries contribute to the local economy.
If the Montreal police do end up raiding their locations, Emery said their policy is to reopen the next day.
Montreal police said in an email that the dispensaries operated by Cannabis Culture are not permitted under current federal regulations that allow access to medical marijuana. They also said they would intervene if any dispensaries open.
In one case, Emery said police were able to stop a location from selling marijuana. She said the police in Peterborough, Ont., were particularly heavy-handed and the Cannabis Culture location in that city now is just a head shop, which sells accessories like pipes.
gotta say that D's have it far above any LP and THAT SHOWS
its a great sign of things to come!
A Canadian chain of recreational marijuana dispensaries is planning to open multiple locations in Montreal on Thursday.
Cannabis Culture, which operates dispensaries in 12 locations across British Columbia and Ontario, said it will announce the new Montreal locations on Dec. 14. They will open their doors to the public the next day.
Their policy is to sell marijuana to anyone over the age of 19 and require a photo ID. They do not require a membership or a medical note. That means that under current federal law they operate illegally.
"All adults should have access to cannabis in an open manner," said Jodie Emery, who is the co-owner of Cannabis Culture with her husband Marc Emery, also known as Canada's "Prince of Pot."
"We've always pushed the boundaries, we use civil disobedience."
Emery said the dispensaries will serve as an example of what Canada's legalization model should look like. The locations to be opened in Montreal will be operated by a franchisee, she said.
The store will be supplied by growers in B.C. as well as local producers. Emery explained that she sees Cannabis Culture as a stepping stone for those growers to begin to transition into a legitimate operation ahead of legalization.
Federal legislation to legalize marijuana is expected to be tabled this spring. However, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that he wants local police forces to continue to enforce the law and criminally charge operators of illegal marijuana dispensaries.
Cannabis Culture operates dispensaries in 12 locations across British Columbia and Ontario. (CBC)
Police raids
Cannabis Culture dispensaries have had run-ins with police in the past. Over the summer a number of their dispensaries were raided by police in Ontario.
Employees have been charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime.
Cannabis Culture provides a lawyer for employees if they are arrested and charged.
Emery said she has not yet spoken to Montreal police, but is hoping for a face-to-face meeting.
"Hopefully we can engage with the local community and authorities to explain why these peaceful businesses should be allowed to operate," said Emery, adding that their dispensaries contribute to the local economy.
If the Montreal police do end up raiding their locations, Emery said their policy is to reopen the next day.
Montreal police said in an email that the dispensaries operated by Cannabis Culture are not permitted under current federal regulations that allow access to medical marijuana. They also said they would intervene if any dispensaries open.
In one case, Emery said police were able to stop a location from selling marijuana. She said the police in Peterborough, Ont., were particularly heavy-handed and the Cannabis Culture location in that city now is just a head shop, which sells accessories like pipes.
gotta say that D's have it far above any LP and THAT SHOWS
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