Winnipeg's medical pot dispensary reopens despite risk of arrest

The owner of Winnipeg's medical marijuana dispensary has reopened his shop, despite warnings from police.

Glenn Price, who runs Your Medical Cannabis Headquarters on Main Street, opened his shop at 11 a.m. Tuesday.

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A week earlier, Price said police showed up at the store and asked him to stop selling cannabis, citing pressure from Health Canada to crack down on marijuana dispensaries.

Price said he agreed to close the store for several days, but he's willing to fight the matter in court if police arrest him this time.

"It's not going to stop me. They can arrest me, I'll get out, we'll set down some ground rules on what I'm going to do next, and I'll be back," he told CBC News in an interview.

The Winnipeg Police Service has not commented specifically on Price's case, but says it will investigate marijuana dispensaries.

It adds that medical marijuana can only be dispensed by a producer licensed by Health Canada through a delivery service and "never dispensed through a store or personally."

While Price is not a licensed seller of medical marijuana, he said he's helping people with medical conditions. He estimates that 225 people rely on his services.

"What happens if I'm arrested? I'll be arrested, that's what. What else is there to do?" he said.

"I'll be arrested, I'll be a martyr for this, and it's not going to stop me."

Some customers argue that without Price's dispensary, the only way they could get medical marijuana prescriptions filled is online.

"I want the cops to know that patients should have access in a storefront," said Harry Kainth, who credits marijuana with helping him cope with intestinal problems.

"Mail order is not enough. That's why I'm here."