BURNABY RCMP RAID MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY

Burnaby RCMP arrested three people in a raid on the Metrotown
Medicinal Cannabis Dispensary and closed down the business on Thursday.

Cpl. Rick Skolrood said police executed a search warrant in a low-key
operation at the storefront at 4927 Kingsway following an extensive
investigation by the force's drug section. Charges have been
recommended against all three with one being charged with possession
of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking, and another for
trafficking.

Skolrood said Health Canada had not licensed the dispensary to
distribute marijuana. Patients looking to get it must obtain it from
Health Canada. He also said it did not have a Burnaby business licence
either.

It is the fourth raid in the last two months by RCMP in British
Columbia of medical marijuana dispensaries. Earlier ones were carried
out in Chilliwack, Courtney and Langley.

The dispensary opened its doors in April 15. At the time the
dispensary said all patients needed was a doctor's recommendation or
confirmation of a diagnosis of a health condition which might benefit
from the use of marijuana. Customers also had to be members of the
non-profit society that ran the store.

Society directors said the cannabis came from growers authorized by
Health Canada.