A medical marijuana dispensary that operated from a Nanaimo storefront has been shut down.
Operators closed the Stash Box at 640 Fifth St., after Nanaimo RCMP bike patrol officers paid a visit two weeks ago and spelled out for them the legal problems the business faced.
Neighbours claimed they saw increased drug-related activity after the business opened last year; from increased pedestrian traffic through trespassing and discarded hypodermic needles.
The situation led to a city bylaw review to rein in cannabis production and sales.
The operators could not be reached, but a recorded phone message thanks customers for their patronage and says the business is now closed.
In February, neighbours shared their concerns with the Nanaimo Daily News, including news the city had issued a business licence for an escort agency at the same address.
“There were a lot of calls from the neighbourhood - concerns about the legality of the operation in there, so we went in and had a conversation with them,” said Cpl. Dave Laberge of the Nanaimo RCMP bike patrol unit.
The Stash Box legally sold smoking paraphernalia and the same address was home to Paradise Island Compassion Club, set up to distribute medical marijuana to licensed users.
Residents are pleased with the news.
“Actually it’s a lot quieter now,” said Jane Ashe, a Hillcrest Avenue resident who walks her dog daily through the neighbourhood. She was among residents who contacted police when syringes started to appear.
On Monday, city of Nanaimo staff presented council with a report geared to address changing federal regulations affecting medical marijuana production and distribution.
The existing regime, in which personal licences allow someone to grow a few plants, will be replaced under the new Health Canada rules, which will only allow secure, large-scale growers to produce the drug.
When that happens, Nanaimo staff propose a limit on production to specific industrial and agricultural areas.
Storefront sales would no longer be possible. Patients would have to buy it online and have it shipped to them directly.
Council directed staff to draft a bylaw using those recommendations, which would have to go to public hearing before council votes on them.
Jane’s husband, Mike Ashe, welcomes the changes, “as long as they do something that tones down the impact on the neighbourhood.”
