The Ontario Inspector General of Policing revealed through a 21-page document that the Waterloo Regional Police Service had followed all policing requirements involved with the closure of two illegal dispensaries, and that further action isn’t needed against the WRPS.
Public complaints were issued on April 15th, 2024. These complaints notified police of two illegal dispensaries in Cambridge, Ontario. Internal investigations by the Ontario Inspector General showed that WRPS fast-tracked its investigation by contacting the OPP’s (Ontario Provincial Police) Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team. This prompted an investigative strategy between the WRPS Direct Action Response Team and OPP, with additional assistance coming from the Public Prosecution Service of Canada.
The Investigation Begins
Investigations began in June 2024, with the WRPS informing landlords & owners of their noncompliance with federal law. Additionally, Waterloo Regional Police visited both locations to inform employees they could be arrested for their knowledge & compliance with the crimes being committed.
Surveillance was conducted at both locations in July 2024. This established the grounds necessary to prove that both locations continued to act directly against the Cannabis Act by selling illegal cannabis. This resulted in a search warrant being approved in August 2024. Later that month, both the King Street East (Sovereign Toke) and Walnut Street (Grand River Medicinal) locations were searched by WRPS.
Police seized large quantities of unregulated cannabis and Canadian currency. Additionally, multiple employees were arrested for their crimes. This included a 26-year-old man from Brantford and a 27-year-old man from Kitchener. These individuals were both arrested for possessing cannabis with the intention of selling.
The Inspector’s Findings
Ontario’s Inspector General of Police concluded that the Waterloo Regional Police Services attended to this public complaint in a reasonable & timely manner. Additionally, this document noted that the WRPS followed the proper steps needed to undergo this investigation with precision & accurate intent.
Despite the public complaint being made a multitude of times, the Inspector General confirmed that while performing initial investigations, Waterloo Regional Police were continuously redirected to numerous agencies, including the AGCO and Stratford Police Services. In total, 75 inquiries were made by the WRPS in its initial investigations.
Initially, public complaints suggested that these dispensaries were operating with “Questionable Indigenous Behaviour”. This prompted the Waterloo Regional Police to contact the Public Prosecution Service of Canada for legal aid. PPSC informed the WRPS Direct Action Response Team to continue its operations, as indigenous status shouldn’t alter enforcement decisions. Federal agencies will continue to prosecute these cases when brought to trial.
Permanently Closed
Sovereign Toke and Grand River Medicinal are permanently closed following the investigation’s closure. However, numerous dispensaries that are legalised & regulated are available throughout the Waterloo Region. For example, OnePlant and ValueBuds have multiple locations for locals to visit. Additionally, there are smaller dispensaries like VIP Cannabis and SpeakEasy. If you’re located in Waterloo Region and want to purchase the latest products available, these dispensaries will provide you with everything needed & then
