MEDICINAL MARIJUANA INFO CENTRE RAISES CONCERNS: COLUMBUS

A new storefront business in Delhi that provides information on how
to get marijuana for medical purposes has left residents concerned
and confused, Norfolk's police services board was told.

"There is considerable concern in the community," Delhi Coun. Mike
Columbus said during last Wednesday's meeting. "People stop me on the street."

Former Delhi mayor Roger Vermeulen, who also sits on the board,
echoed those sentiments.

"I have all kinds of people on the street asking me what's going on,"
said Vermeulen.

Delhi resident Rick West, who holds a federal licence allowing him to
grow marijuana for people who need it for medical purposes, recently
opened Highly Recommended Plus on King Street. His sign, which faces
the town's main commercial street, includes a giant marijuana leaf.

West, who has been convicted on drug charges in the past, says he has
transformed himself into a legitimate businessman providing relief
for the sick.

Under law, doctors can prescribe marijuana to ease pain and treat a
number of diseases, including arthritis, cancer, multiple sclerosis,
and Tourette Syndrome.

Columbus said he visited the business and was assured it would
provide information on how to legally obtain marijuana, not sell the
drug out of the storefront.

The public, however, remains "confused," Vermeulen said.

"There are all kinds of things people don't understand. I don't know
exactly what is taking place."

The situation, Vermeulen said, "begs for more information." The
business, he warned, could pose a "security issue" if people try to
"rip them off."

Norfolk OPP Staff-Sergeant Rick Tout said he was unaware of the
storefront, but knew of West's growing operation in greenhouses in
Norfolk County.

"We had a number of incidents last year in relation to this medical
marijuana," Tout said.

Last year, police raided one of West's greenhouse operations and
charged him with growing more than what his licence allows. The case
is still before the courts.

Police board chair Peter Hellyer noted the county is ideally suited
for growing the crop because of all the vacant greenhouses that were
used for tobacco.

Hellyer described it as a potential "growth industry."