Pot activist couple Jodie and Marc Emery appeared in court this morning after being arrested at Pearson, en route to Spain for the Spannabis conference, weed lawyer Kirk Tousaw said on Facebook.
While he initially said it was not part of a raid, Toronto Police released information saying they were in fact raiding dispensaries in Toronto, Hamilton and Vancouver. They’re calling it Project Gator, targeted against the boutique pot shop chain. In addition to the Emerys, three more Cannabis Culture employees have been arrested and charged.
Five Toronto Cannabis Culture locations were raided (461 Church St., 801 Queen St. West, 711 Queen St. East, 365 King St. West and 3440 Lake Shore Blvd. West). In Hamilton, the 307 King St. East location was raided, and so was Cannabis Culture’s headquarters at 307 West Hastings in Vancouver.
Marc Emery’s been charged with conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, three counts of trafficking (Schedule II), five counts of possession for the purpose (Schedule II), five counts of possession proceeds of crime and fail to comply recognizance. Jodie Emery has been charged with conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, trafficking (schedule II), possession for the purpose (Schedule II) and two counts of possession of proceeds of crime.
Another couple involved with Cannabis Culture were also arrested: Chris Goodwin, 37, is charged with conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, possession for the purpose (Schedule II) and possession of proceeds of crime. Erin Goodwin, 31, is charged with conspiracy to commit an indictable offence and failure to comply recognizance.
Kate Robertson
Cannabis Culture’s 801 Queen St. West location was closed after today’s raid.
Britney Guerra, 29, was also arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, three counts of possession for the purpose (Schedule II) and three counts of possession of proceeds of crime.
All five will appear in court at Old City Hall on March 10 at 10 am.
kater@nowtoronto.com | @katierowboat
