An owner of a medical marijuana dispensary in Toronto says she won’t allow city licensing officials to close down her store because what she’s doing isn’t “criminal.”
Queens of Cannabis co-owner Brandy Zuborg received a warning from the city last week and again on Monday, but told reporters Wednesday that what she’s doing is legal.
Zuborg said her store gives people the ability to become employed as a supplier or dispensary owner. “And there’s nothing criminal about that,” she said.
Medical cannabis consultant Jessica Ferneyhough, who also spoke to reporters from the Queens of Cannabis store, said there is a high demand for marijuana.
“We found a medicine that helps a lot of people,” she said. “I’m hoping we can come together and sit at a round table. I think we can recognize that this is about getting access to patients and about healing people that are in pain and that are dying.”
Ferneyhough called the city "unconstitutional" for "punishing dispensaries for providing sick patients with access to their medicine."
This month, city licensing officials sent out warning letters to landlords who could face a fine of up to $50,000 if they don’t shut down their stores. Overall, the city has sent out 77 notices to landlords of 83 different medical marijuana dispensaries.
City officials said some stores have already been closed because of the warnings, but they’ll be following up with each one to make sure.
One dispensary, called Kind Supply, posted a notice saying they will stay closed until the city reviews regulations.
Zuborg said she and the other owners will go to court to fight the fine should they receive one.
With files from Natalie Johnson
