WARMINGTON: Fedeli warns cops will bust illegal dispensaries

It’s a product that sells itself. 

But Ontario Finance Minister Vic Fedeli warns there’s no free high for those who fail to follow the law.

With the smell of spring, and another familiar aroma, in the air on Wednesday, customer after customer walked into this store to get the much desired product.

“It’s the busiest store in the whole area,” comments a neighbouring and envious retailer.

It was the third day of the opening of the Hunny Pot, on Queen St. W., which sells legal marijuana. But this was not the Hunny Pot.

The pot dispensary in question — just a short walk away from the Hunny Pot in Kensington Market — is allegedly breaking the law, according to police sources.

And Fedeli Wednesday had a warning for such operations.

“There could be a $250,00 fine,” he warned. “If it is a corporation, they could face a $1-million fine.”

Looks like the free ride could soon be over.

“It is illegal to sell marijuana without a licence and it is illegal to purchase it,” he added.

The finance minister said since the federal government legalized weed ont Oct. 17, 2018, “190 illegal store fronts have been closed and more than 100 people have been charged by the OPP and local bylaw enforcement which has laid 263 charges.”

With 10 legal stores now operating in Ontario — and 15 more to come in the days ahead — the ones who are competing illegally will soon face the wrath if the law.

“They grey area is over,” said Fedeli. “With the stores opening and the online Ontario Cannabis store, there is no need to buy it illegally.”

But for those pot dealers laughing at this, Fedeli pulled an extra incentive out of his hat that goes beyond the pot smoker or those wanting to push it on the black market.

“Landlords need to know, that this is illegal,” he said, adding they are also subject to fines.  Some 34 landlords have already been charged.

“The municipalities is where the fine money could go,” said Fedeli, adding “this is big money for the municipalities.”d.

The battle lines have been drawn. The war is one.

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The illegal stores are not going to be allowed to undercut the licensed operations or the accredited growers who supply them.

The traffic at these illegal operations is enormous. With each sale there is no HST paid, no contribution to the medical system or any other part of society. It’s profit straight to the black market.

Those  breaking the law are selling illegal contraband at a time when that product is available legally. Fedeli has no sympathy for these operations because he warned all players who wanted to apply for a legal marijuana selling licence that they needed to stop selling illegally after the Oct. 17, 2018 change came in.

Those that didn’t comply are out of the game.