Yesterday was a sad day in Toronto as Toronto Police cracked down on several medical marijuana dispensaries as part of ‘Project Claudia.’ While it is unknown how many dispensaries were raided, I saw many reports on social media that put the number as high as 40. Those reports are from social media, so take the number for what you will, but the fact of the matter is that a very large number of dispensaries were raided, which is a huge waste of law enforcement resources. Per the Toronto Sun:
Giant bags of weed locked in police cruisers, young people in handcuffs inside dispensaries, signs that say “Closed” or “Closing.”
This was the very public face Thursday of Project Claudia — an effort by Toronto Police to crack down on stores selling medical marijuana over the counter.
Police wouldn’t say how many marijuana dispensaries were raided across the city over the lunch hour, how many people were arrested or the charges.
Police are planning a press conference today to release details as to how many dispensaries were raided, how many people were arrested, and the charges that they will be facing. Below is a press release from the Toronto Police in regards to the proposed press conference:
On Friday, May 27, 2016, at 10:30 a.m., in the Media Gallery of Headquarters, Chief of Police Mark Saunders will provide an update on Project Claudia.
He will be joined by Mr. Mark Sraga, Director of Investigation Services, Municipal Licensing and Standards for the City of Toronto.
An update on the number of search warrants, locations, charges laid, and products seized during the search warrants will be on display.
The news conference will be available on the Bell TOC and livestreamed on You Tube.
Please download the Toronto Police Service Mobile App for iOS or Android.
For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.
Recreational marijuana legalization is on the horizon in Canada, so why these raid occurred is beyond me. Clearly it’s a huge waste or resources, and it’s something that is already drawing a tremendous amount of criticism from patients and supporters. A protest is planned for today, and will take place at the same time and location as the Toronto PD press conference. If you are in the area, I suggest that you come out and show support.
