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Cawston marijuana dispensary to remain closed

The Amber Light Compassion Society released a statement via its FB page early Saturday morning
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According to a statement released on The Amber Light Compassion Society Facebook page the Cawston medical marijuana dispensary will remain closed at least until legislation is in place.

“Good Morning everyone out there in the Similkimeen Valley and abroad!!! It is with great disappointment that we must announce that due to overwhelming pressure from the local R.C.M.P. detachment we have been forced to close our doors …,” starts the statement that was posted Saturday morning just before 8 a.m.

The Cawston medical marijuana dispensary was raided by police Friday. One man was arrested and an undisclosed amount of marijuana was seized including cannabis oils and edibles and more.

RELATED: Marijuana dispensary raided in Cawston

Police are not releasing the name of man as formal charges have not yet be laid.

Cpl. Brian Evans of the Keremeos detachment said the detachment has conducted a several month investigation into the marijuana dispensary business and is pursuing federal charges relating to trafficking.

“We’re recommending charges for federal prosecution against one or more individuals,” he said Friday.

The Review attempted to contact the owner of the store Grant Bruce and anyone affiliated to the medical dispensary through the FB page.

In response to a message to The Amber Light Compassion Society the Review was received a message stating, “we have nothing to say and will wait for our day in court.”

The Amber Light Compassion Society opened its doors in October 2016.

Shortly after the society opened the Keremeos Review interviewed the Bruce.

Bruce, a long sufferer of epilepsy told the Keremeos Review he opened the store so others who had medical ailments could access medical grade marijuana easily.

The Amber Light Compassion Society statement about the raid notes it is community that will suffer as a result of the raid.

“We feel it very discouraging that the police have taken this route instead of calling on the community to have its say before they enact their will without the thought of the community … It would have been great to have a formal discussion on the topic of cannabis and create a sense of working together instead of creating a situation where cannabis users are now being pushed to street level dealers…,” the statement goes on to read.

The statement further notes several overdose deaths have happened in the community and that no charges have been laid against the people involved in those crimes.

‘In the last year there has been 3 deaths associated to fentanyl and overdose in our community and not 1 single person has been brought to justice for this .. Not 1 …we call on anyone who feels the need to voice their opinions to call the local Keremeos R.C.M.P. and let your feelings be known ….” the statement reads.

In the Keremeos Review’s original interview with Bruce in October 2016, he explained to become a member of the society and purchase products a doctor’s form was required, the client must be 19 years of age or older and come with two pieces of identification.

Prior to opening the store in Cawston Bruce attempted to open a similar store in Osoyoos. He was visited by the police within three days of opening and voluntarily decided to close.

Full statement from Amber Light Compassion Society about closure

“Good Morning everyone out there in the Similkimeen Valley and abroad!!! It is with great disappointment that we must announce that due to overwhelming pressure from the local R.C.M.P. detachment we have been forced to close our doors … We feel it very discouraging that the police have taken this route instead of calling on the community to have its say before they enact their will without the thought of the community … It would have been great to have a formal discussion on the topic of cannabis and create a sense of working together instead of creating a situation where cannabis users are now being pushed to street level dealers… In the last year there has been 3 deaths associated to fentanyl and overdose in our community and not 1 single person has been brought to justice for this .. Not 1 …we call on anyone who feels the need to voice their opinions to call the local Keremeos R.C.M.P. and let your feelings be known … Having said all of this it is our desire to bring a peaceful resolve to this situation and for the next few months until legalization happens we will not be open …. Nothing makes us more sad than to do this …”

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@TaraBowieBC
editor@keremeosreview.com

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