BC cannabis dispensary operator ordered to pay $15,000 fine

May 10 2018, 4:35 am

The owner of a BC cannabis shop in the Okanagan is facing a hefty fine, after a recent ruling from BC’s Supreme Court.

Located in Penticton, The Herbal Green Cafe, owned and operated by Jukka Laurio, was the subject of an injunction from the city, for operating a dispensary within the city’s boundaries, according to a release.

The city noted that the injunction against Herbal Green was “the final part” of the city’s bylaw enforcement’s prosecution of three dispensaries in the city, through court orders.

“Dispensaries are expected to follow these orders which prohibit the sale of non-medicinal marijuana until such times as the law changes,” the city said.

As a result of the ruling, the cafe, which is also reportedly known as the “Russian and Finish Cafe,” is “prohibited and restrained” from selling, using, storing, or possessing cannabis “in any way” on its premises.

In addition, Laurio must comply with five separate city bylaws, two provincial statutes, and must “withdraw the judicial review proceedings he filed against the city… without cost.”

Finally, Laurio must pay a $15,000 fine to the city by November 15, lest the fine be more than doubled to $30,500.

“Council instructed bylaw services to treat all dispensaries equally under the law,” said Bylaw Supervisor Tina Siebert. A task which they were able to carry out with the court orders, she noted.

“Herbal Green was more punitive because there were two outstanding legal actions filed in the Penticton and Kelowna registries,” she added.

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Eric ZimmerEric Zimmer

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