The Rise And Fall Of Toronto’s Weed Dispensaries: A Brief Timeline

On Thursday May 26, 2016, the City of Toronto launched Operation Claudia, a targeted raid of the many marijuana dispensaries that have sprouted up across the city in recent months. While some believe that the dispensaries exist in a "legal grey area," that didn't stop police from busting 43 private businesses.

In a press conference, where he was heckled by pro-marijuana protesters, Police Chief Mark Saunders said the raids were meant to protect the health and safety of the city's residents from an unregulated substance.

The Toronto Police chief's actions are a far cry from comments made by the Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau. Since at least 2013, Trudeau has explicitly called to legalize marijuana. Upon becoming the country's leader in October 2015, his government said they will be drafting legislation to legalize marijuana in spring of 2017. It's these pledges from the federal government that have expedited the growth of pot businesses in Toronto.

Here's a timeline of the Toronto dispensary explosion, and Canada's back-and-forth relationship with marijuana.

The Toronto Police Services were not immediately available for comment.

“'I’m not someone who is particularly interested in altered states, but I certainly won’t judge someone else for it,” Trudeau said. 'I think that the prohibition that is currently on marijuana is unjustified.'”

“Pot is still illegal in this country and will be until we bring in a strong regulatory framework... 'I think decriminalization is a bad idea because it doesn’t do anything to make it more difficult for young people to access it and it doesn’t do anything in terms of keeping the black market and the criminal organizations from profiting from it,' Trudeau replied. 'That’s why I believe in control and regulation that actually will do the protection of public safety and of minors that we need. And in the meantime, it’s still illegal.'”

"In just over a week, unlicensed marijuana shops in Vancouver will have to close their doors or be subject to fines and legal action. Andreea Toma, the city’s director of licensing, said it’s too early to tell exactly how many will shutter, but according to figures provided by the city, that number could be as high as 130."

"'I am proud to stand up for our drug policy that is informed by solid scientific evidence and uses a lens of public health to maximize education and minimize harm,' [Canada Health Minister Jane Philpott] said. 'As a doctor, who has worked both in Canada and sub-Saharan Africa, I have seen too many people suffer the devastating consequences of drugs, drug-related crime and ill-conceived drug policy. Fortunately, solutions are within our grasp.'"

"Andreea Toma, the city’s chief licensing inspector, said last week that shops that haven’t been granted a business license must pay $250 for every day they remain open and the city could also pursue court action, including a $10,000 fine or an injunction order forcing stores to close."

“Mayor John Tory and city councillors agree about the free-for-all part, expressing concern about the lack of rules and proximity to schools... 'In the last several weeks these dispensaries are really becoming an issue of concern,' Mark Sraga, director of investigation services for city licensing, told the Star. 'We are developing an operational plan to address these issues under our regulatory authority.'”

“'The notion that these can spread like wildfire across the city and that they can be done in a completely unregulated manner... is just not the right way to go about this,' Tory told reporters."

"Letters from the city and the Toronto Police Service were sent informing landlords of buildings that contain dispensaries that the shops violate local by-laws and the property owners are subject to stiff financial penalties. Until the city sent out the notices, operators of the dispensaries expected to be the ones facing fines, as much as $50,000."

"Some of the items seized during the raids included 269 kilograms of dried cannabis, 132 kilograms of cookies, food spreads such as Nutella, candy and sodas."