A Port Coquitlam retail pot shop remains open despite ongoing fines from the city and two police raids.
Cannabis Culture — a high-profile storefront at Lougheed Highway and Shaughnessy Street, operating as part of Marc Emery's brand — continues to sell recreational weed to the public.
Last month, PoCo bylaw officials met with legal counsel to look at court action to close the business. Between Nov. 7 and Dec. 5, municipal staff issued six tickets to the owner for failing to have a business licence; only three tickets have been paid, bylaw services manager Paula Jones said.
Asked why the dispensary that's currently forbidden under federal law has yet to be shuttered, Jones said, "We have to investigate. There's a progression for enforcement. We have to get proof that they're doing something illegal."
Coquitlam RCMP Cpl. Mike McLaughlin said investigation by the detachment's drug section is active and no one has been charged to date though "charges are possible at any time."
Last month, Emery's wife Jodie told The Tri-City News that Cannabis Culture intends to stay open, noting in an email, "We believe in what we're doing so we don't close down unless the persecution and punishment becomes too heavy and harmful to our peaceful people who work in and operate the franchise locations."
Meanwhile, Jones said another marijuana business on PoCo's north side is also under investigation by the city: United by Nature Pain Society, at 1524 Prairie Ave., is believed to be selling pot via the world wide web.
Today (Thursday), its phone line wasn't working; however, the website states: "Sorry but we are waiting for the regulation to allow the sale of cannabis before we open our online store. Once all the legal regulations are figured out, we will be able to open and sell to public. In the meantime, we build up our site and products to help medical and one day soon recreational cannabis users."
jcleugh@tricitynews.com
