Chilliwack marijuana compassion club shut down

CHILLIWACK – A marijuana compassion club, known as “˜Be Kind Medical Clinic’, was operating without a medical marijuana licence out of a business store front at 46144 Yale Rd.

After Chilliwack RCMP received a tip through the City that the business owner did not have a licence, they confirmed that information with Health Canada and then arrested one man in connection with the club.

Health Canada stated that they do not licence compassion clubs because they are illegal, and on June 22, a warrant under the Controlled Dug and Substances Act was obtained and executed by the Chilliwack RCMP.

Investigators discovered a marijuana hashish lab and marijuana oil extraction lab, which was being used to produce marijuana oils. The oil was then used in marijuana-related food products, which included chocolate, lollipops, and edible hashish. About four to five pounds of dried marijuana bud was also seized, but the RCMP were concerned about the high risk of fire from marijuana oil extraction practices.

During the extraction, Isopropyl Alcohol is brought to a boil over a heat source which causes extremely flammable fumes to be released in the air. As a result of the Search Warrant, the City of Chilliwack removed the Occupancy Permit from the building and is in the process of revoking their business licence. The Abbotsford owner of the business listed the type of business as "Healthcare/Medicine" when he applied for his business licence with the City Of Chilliwack.

The business was also advertised on Craigslist under “˜Therapeutic Services’, and it claimed there would be health care professionals on site, including medical doctors, a doctor of Chinese medicine, and a pharmacist.

"Ultimately, the business was being operated under the guise of a medicinal marihuana compassion club where marihuana, marihuana oils, and related products were being offered for sale," said RCMP Cpl. Kurt Bosnell. "The business was not licenced by Health Canada to distribute or sell marihuana to the public and was found to be an illegal marihuana trafficking operation that was operating as a store front business."

A 41-year- old Abbotsford man was arrested and charges of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, production of a controlled substance, and trafficking a controlled substance are being forwarded to Crown Counsel. The man was later released on a promise to appear with a court date of October 18.

The investigation is ongoing and it will later be determined if charges will be forwarded for the owner of the business.