Product seized from two Squamish cannabis dispensaries

Enforcement action taken on 99 North and Grassroots Medicinal Tuesday, Nov. 5

Just before 11:30 a.m Nov. 5, RCMP and Community Safety Unit (CSU) members entered the dispensaries. The District of Squamish said the RCMP were present to maintain public safety while the CSU members executed their duties.

Squamish RCMP referred all questions to the CSU.

Members of the CSU removed boxes of product from both locations. Colin Hynes, speaking on behalf of the unit, confirmed the CSU closed both businesses.

Hynes told The Chief the province has taken action or conducted educational visits at 191 stores in B.C. to date, including in Squamish.

He said the organization couldn’t release why these two shops were chosen and why on this date.

CSU, which is under the Policing and Security Branch of the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, is responsible for compliance and enforcement under the Cannabis Control and Licensing Act (CCLA), with a focus on the illegal sale of cannabis.

When asked what happens if a business reopens despite a CSU closure notice, Hynes said that hasn’t happened yet.

The municipality was not alerted of the actions prior to them being taken, District staff told The Chief.

Bryan Raiser, the owner of 99 North, applied more than a year ago to the province to have a licensed shop. His was the first cannabis dispensary in Squamish to apply for a license, he said.

By: Keili Bartlett , Steven Chua , Jennifer Thuncher / Squamish Chief
Read the whole article here: www.squamishchief.com/news/local-news/updated-product-seized-from-two-squamish-cannabis-dispensaries-1.23998560