Glenn Price, medical marijuana shop owner, to fight charges in court

Glenn Price, whose medical marijuana shop was raided by Winnipeg police this week, says he plans to challenge his drug-related charges in court.

Price was arrested at his shop, Your Medical Cannabis Headquarters on Main Street, along with his wife and a patient who was using the dispensary on Tuesday.

• Shop owner disguised 'drug trafficking' business as medical marijuana shop: police
• Police arrest owner and patient at medical marijuana dispensary

Police allege he was operating an "illegal drug trafficking business which was held out to be a medical marijuana dispensary."

He has been charged with drug trafficking, possessing a scheduled substance for the purpose of trafficking, possessing the proceeds of property obtained by crime and possessing a scheduled substance.

"I haven't spoken to my lawyer as of yet, but I'm going to fight it in court. I'm going to plead not guilty and fight it in court," Price told CBC News on Thursday.

Price also issued a statement criticizing governments for making it difficult for patients to obtain medical marijuana. You can read the statement below.

As well, he said Winnipeg police spent thousands of dollars to arrest him — money that he believes could be spent on other things.

"There was 20 police officers there, so I'm just guessing about $10,000 just to arrest me," he said.

"I think taxpayers' dollars could have been spent on more better things like infrastructure, the homeless. A matter of fact, I gave $500 to Siloam Mission when they needed underwear and stuff. I don't see the federal government standing up and donating money to less fortunate people that are on the street, that need things."

Glenn Price's full statement

I'd like to thank everyone for supporting me. I'm hoping if nothing else is gained, at least we could shed some light on struggles patients have with medical cannabis.

The people of Canada and doctors are having to struggle with the ever-changing medical cannabis laws. It's hard to keep up. For example, some patients are allowed to grow while others are not allowed the same. And that's called fair?

Patients, especially seniors that have a hard time navigating the internet or let alone how to use a computer, are getting frustrated on how to obtain your medicine.

Also extremely different laws, outlook about medical cannabis from province to province, from political party to another. Some say it's criminal, others say legalize it. One city can have a hundred dispensaries operating, while others can't even have one. One city can have theirs regulated, while others are far behind.

What government dispensary educates people and gives them the one-on-one consultation most people need, not only that which can provide medicine in a timely fashion. And I went through all the government sites today and I can provide a list. It'll take you anywhere from three to four weeks to get your medicine in your hand once you've navigated all the internet. Were the patients considered in this?

There's over a million patients in Canada. It takes three to four weeks before you're even signed up. Price range is $15 a gram. Some charge tax, some don't.

I found people that work there are uneducated [on] how to use medical cannabis — 95 per cent of them suggested if I was a non-smoker to vaporize instead of suggesting edible tinctures, oils or such. Never mind the recalls that the government sites have that you've found out three weeks later after you've used your medicine that they're recalling it. 

Too bad Winnipeg wants to stay in the Stone Age, while Vancouver progresses and flourishes and the States has tax dollars rolling in. Everyone, please stand up and bring education to Winnipeg about medical cannabis and the struggles patients have.