Licensed medical marijuana sellers facing drug charges

Hamilton police have laid marijuana possession and trafficking charges after they raided two businesses last week.

The two shops at 174 King St. W. Melanheadz Canadian Cannabis Movement and Kush Pixies Kitchenare licensed to distribute medical marijuana, police said, but had violated the regulations of that licensing.

Between October 2012 and January 2013, the police vice and drug unit conducted an investigation into the businesses after they received information that the owners were trafficking marijuana and marijuana baked goods out of the storefronts,which isnot authorized by Health Canadas Medicinal Marijuana Access Regulations Program.

On January30, police raided the businesses and charged a 36-year-old Hamilton man and a20-year-oldHamilton woman with trafficking, possession and production of marijuana, as well as possession of proceeds of crime.

CBC Hamilton spoke to a client ofMCCM who experiences chronic migraines. The source, who asked not to be named, said hebuys from the business becausemarijuana he has purchased from other licensed suppliers doesn't give him sufficient relief.

"A person like me, I need a specific medication to help me because I have a disability," he said.

"They were providing me adequate medicine to help me function. My thing is, if I can't get my medicine ... I will lose my job, I will lose my house, I will lose everything."