Two marijuana shops in Winnipeg found selling illegally

Winnipeg Police Service has seized pot from two different dispensaries in Winnipeg.

Officers said over the last several months, members of the Marijuana Grow Operation Unit (MGOU) were conducting an investigation into the activities of two illegal marijuana dispensaries.

Police said the Winnipeg Compassion Club on McPhillips Street and the Winnipeg Compassion Club South on Pembina Highway were both openly selling pot.

“Some of the products we seized in this store, some of the goods, some of the alternative forms had THC levels exceeding 80%,” Constable Rob Carver with Winnipeg Police Service said.

RELATED: Manitoba says no to homegrown pot, unveils legal age to buy

On Jan. 8, officers from MGOU assisted Community Supports Units and seized the following:

• approximately $25,000 worth of marijuana
• $20,000 of marijuana in alternate forms
• $6,000 in cash

PHOTO GALLERY:  these are supplied images of the pot products seized

Three men, ages 27, 28 and 45, were arrested and charged with a number of drug charges and possession of the proceeds of crime.

Officers made a point of noting that marijuana seized in criminal investigations is never medical grade and is often found to contain contaminants which can post significant health risks.

“The issue here is that there’s a significant health risk when you’re buying non medical grade, non approved marijuana. This is black market marijuana,” Constable Carver said.

Cannabis Advocate, Steven Stairs, said he’s not surprised the raids happened.

“Frankly, you have to weed out the unethical people,” stairs said.