On May 23rd, 2013, members of the NWPD Street Crime Unit concluded an investigation under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) into the sale of marijuana at premises in the 900 block of 12th Street.
Three males were taken into custody and a CDSA search warrant was executed on the premises, resulting in the seizure of a significant quantity of marijuana and cash.
The three males who were arrested, all Vancouver residents aged 31, 28, and 23, were interviewed by members of the Street Crime Unit and later released on Promises to Appear in court at a future date.
Selling marijuana outside of Health Canada guidelines remains a criminal offence under the CDSA. Health Canada Guidelines provide that holders of an authorization to possess medical marihuana can obtain marijuana for medical purposes in three ways:
1. They can apply for access to purchase dried marijuana directly from Health Canada.
2. They can grow their own supply.
3. They can designate someone else to grow it for them.
Furthermore, Health Canada has issued clear directions that while they will manage the activities of authorizations and licenses, the police will continue to investigate and enforce the provisions of the CDSA where activities are not permitted under an authorization or license.