Illegal medical marijuana dispensary in Fredericton could face charges, police warn

A medical marijuana dispensary in Fredericton could face charges or be searched, police warned in a statement on Thursday.

The Fredericton Police Force has opened a file on the facility, operating since May, and has "been following up,"said spokeswoman AlyciaBartlett.

"Until the Blair Report is finalized, unauthorized dispensaries are trafficking in a controlled substance contrary to the CDSA Act," she said.

• HBB Medical plans more illegal marijuana dispensaries in Maritimes

Officers have spoken with the owners and confirmed they have a licence to produce and possess medical marijuana, but not to dispense, said Bartlett.

New Brunswick has only one authorizedmedical marijuana producer, Organigram, located inMoncton, she said.

We are presently in consultation with our law enforcement partners to discuss next steps.- Alycia Bartlett, Fredericton police spokeswoman

Bartlett noted no building permit or zoning approval has been issued for the facility, but since the federal government is still considering legislation around the production of and sale of medical marijuana, it is not captured in any zoning bylaws, she said.

"Complaints will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis, and we are presently in consultation with our law enforcement partners to discuss next steps."

The statement does not name the company in question, but the warning comes after the owners of HBB Medical Inc. told CBC News on Wednesday they plan to expand.

The Fredericton facility,at 320 Wilsey Rd., is the first location opened by the Merchant family from St. George..

They opened a second location in Monctonon Aug. 3, are opening a Saint John storefront on Saturday and plan to expand into Rothesay, Dartmouth and St. John's, Brock Merchant told CBC News.

Merchant, who runs the company withhis father, Hank, and brother, Bowe,said they understandthe police must keep a watch of their business and could "raid" them at any time.

"However, we're just hoping that they don't," he said.

Merchant said HBB Medical Inc.hasaccumulated more than 750 clients.