Williams Lake RCMP raided a downtown business Monday they allege was operating an illegal marijuana storefront business.
Insp. Jeff Pelley said officers executed a search warrant in the 100 block of Oliver Street April 3 and gathered evidence of possible offences under the criminal code and Controlled Drug and Substance Act.
“Drug trafficking is, and will remain a priority for our detachment and officers to proactively enforce these types of offences,” Pelley said in a news release issued late Monday night. “We take this very seriously and will continue to seek evidence to pursue charges.”
Tuesday morning, Williams Lake Mayor Walt Cobb said he questioned the validity of Mary Jane’s Glass and Gifts since the City first received an application from the company for a retail business licence, which it was granted in recent months.
“I questioned it from the very beginning,” he said.
However, Cobb also pointed out municipalities are basically sitting in limbo as the laws surrounding the sale of marijuana are expected to change.
“You wonder if you should be turning a blind eye, but we just can’t,” Cobb said in general of marijuana dispensaries. “I wish the federal government would get off their butt and make up their minds on this. They need to get on with it and do what needs to be done.”
In the meantime, the sale of medical, or any other marijuana, is illegal, he said.
“We don’t have the ability to license them, that’s the stupid part,” he said of business owners who may want to operate legitimate medical marijuana dispensaries. “It’s illegal to sell it, but it’s legal to grow it.”
In his press release, Insp. Pelley also acknowledged the challenges surrounding the policing of marijuana.
“We recognize the current complexities surrounding the potential for future legislative changes, however, the RCMP is tasked with enforcing the laws of Canada as they exist today,” Pelley said.
Cobb said the city had received complaints regarding goings on at the new business, as did the RCMP since it opened in February.
Cobb said city staff will now have to seek legal advice regarding the possibility of pulling Mary Jane’s business licence.
Editor’s note: We are currently making attempts to reach the owners of Mary Jane’s for comment.
