Illicit Cannabis Dispensaries - Warrants executed

 Joint Forces Operation – Press Release

Illicit Cannabis Dispensary

In March of 2019, a Joint Forces Operation involving the Saugeen Shores Police, Owen Sound Police, and the Hanover Police Service began with an investigation into a business reported to be selling illicit CBD products in 3 locations.

On June 20, 2019, members of the Saugeen Shores Police Service, Owen Sound Police Service and Hanover Police Service executed a Sc. 87 Cannabis Act Search Warrant at 3 locations of the same business in Port Elgin, Owen Sound and Hanover.  It is alleged that at each location illicit Cannabidiol (CBD) products were being sold without the required licensing. 

The Cannabis Act regulates both the production and sale of CBD.  CBD can legally be purchased and sold from properly licensed entities including the Ontario Cannabis Store.  Regulated CBD can also be  legally possessed as long as the quantity of CBD and other cannabis products falls within the parameters of the Act. Legal CBD will be visibly marked as prescribed by the Act, showing that it is in compliance.   There is a common misconception that CBD derived from “Hemp” is legal where in fact, CBD is regulated no matter its source.

The total items seized from the 3 locations included:

Approx. $30,000.00 in alleged illicit CBD products offered for sale
Approx. $7400.00 in funds
Computers and Point of Sale Terminals
Retail store operational documents

As a result of the investigation 2 adult males and 2 adult females were arrested and are facing charges which include:

Unlawfully Sell Cannabis – Sc. 10(1)a) of the Cannabis Act – 3 Counts
Unlawfully possess cannabis for the purpose of Selling it  - Sc. 10(2) of the Cannabis Act – 4 counts
Unlawfully Possess Cannabis for the purpose of distributing it – Sc 9(2) of the Cannabis Act – 3 counts
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000 – Sc. 354(1)(a) CC – 4 counts

All 4 adults were released with a future Court Date.