A medical marijuana dispensary has had its business licence suspended by the city after five employees were arrested last month.
MMJ Canada’s Vernon Street location has been closed since March 20 when the Nelson Police Department executed a search warrant that led to the arrests.
The city has since suspended MMJ’s licence, according to manager of development services Pam Mierau. She said the city will review that decision if there are no convictions.
Chief Paul Burkart told the Star he’s unable to comment until the information-to-obtain document, which is used as the basis for the search warrant, is unsealed by a justice of the peace. He added he hopes to make more information, including the specifics of the charges, public by May.
The five employees were released from custody the same day of the arrest.
An employee at MMJ’s main office in Vancouver said the company declined to comment at this time.
MMJ was one of six dispensaries allowed to remain active by the city in March 2017 until federal legislation is introduced. A moratorium on recreational cannabis sales was introduced in February, which the city said was to prevent more businesses from opening prior to legalization.
The city also sent out a survey in February to every household and business in Nelson, the results of which will be used to help draft permanent cannabis regulations.
Those regulations, which could change the number of dispensaries allowed to operate in Nelson, are expected to be made public this month.
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tyler.harper@nelsonstar.com
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