A budtender who was recently arrested in Ottawa says his employers threw him to the wolves. Raids in Ottawa and Toronto led to many budtenders facing drug charges. During raids of dispensaries in Toronto, multiple arrests took place, but charges against 151 accused individuals were subsequently dismissed. During 12 raids of marijuana dispensaries in Ottawa toward the end of last year, 22 employees were arrested.
In Ontario, the only legal way to obtain medical marijuana is by purchasing it from a grower who holds a Health Canada license. The arrested budtender says his employers explained that although it was a grey area, law enforcement would not arrest him -- if they did, the company would provide legal support. The man said he worked in one of many storefront marijuana dispensaries that operated openly across Ottawa.
He was one of nine employees of the same company facing serious criminal charges. During the raid of the store in which he worked in November last year, he was on duty to tend to customers. The charges he now faces include 11 counts of marijuana possession for trafficking and one count of being in possession of the proceeds of crime. Furthermore, when police searched him, they found a joint on him and added a count of marijuana possession.
This Ottawa resident is now awaiting his next court hearing that is scheduled for the first week in April. Any person who is facing drug charges will likely recognise the severity of his or her situation. The most logical step to take would be to seek the support of an experienced criminal defense lawyer who can assess the charges and investigate the allegations before devising a strategy that might lead to the best possible outcome.
Source: ottawasun.com, "'Budtend' says marijuana dispensary bosses left him high and dry after raid", Jacquie Miller, March 17, 2017
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