Charges dropped against cannabis shop owner

HALIFAX — In a court hearing lasting just over one minute, the Crown withdrew all charges against a Halifax marijuana advocate stemming from a series of police raids at his medical cannabis shop.

Chris Enns had planned Friday to launch a constitutional challenge under Section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in Nova Scotia Supreme Court. However, Crown attorney Jill Hartlen informed Justice Jamie Campbell that the charges filed under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act were being withdrawn. Enns’ business, Farm Assist Cannabis Resource Centre, had been raided as part of ongoing trafficking investigations in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

In an interview following the hearing, Hartlen said the regulations around medical marijuana access had changed since the charges were filed.

She noted the previous Marijuana for Medical Purposes Regulations were struck down by the courts. Outside court, Enns expressed relief that the court process had officially drawn to a close.