Manager of pot dispensary in east end faces drug charges after police raid

Hamilton police have raided an east end marijuana dispensary and charged its manager.

Police officers used a warrant to search SOS (Spliff on Site) dispensary at 1543 King St. E. around 3:30 p.m. Thursday.

Police said in a news release an investigation revealed the site had been operating illegally as a marijuana dispensary.

Police say officers seized pot, cannabis resin and THC-related products valued at around $50,000.

A 45-year-old man identified as the dispensary manager faces charges of drug possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Police didn’t publicize his name because he was released on a promise to appear in court at a later date.

The federal government has announced plans to legalize and regulate the sale of pot for recreational use next summer.

It is also separately regulating the mail-order sale of medical marijuana.

Hamilton police acknowledge the laws surrounding the sale of marijuana are poised to change, but note until they do, police “will continue to investigate all allegations of criminal activity, including the sale and trafficking of marihuana from dispensaries.”

City council recently appealed to police to crack down on the growing number of storefront pot dispensaries.

Last fall, councillors were told at least 19 marijuana dispensaries remained open despite a municipal bylaw crackdown that had so far resulted in 45 “non-compliance” notifications and 31 charges before the courts, mostly related to illegal zoning.

Police said at the time investigators had raided and briefly closed 10 dispensaries, but a majority had reopened.