Penticton’s Green Essence head shop busted

PENTICTON – With the date for legalization of marijuana still a little more than a month away, a Penticton pot shop has been busted by the Penticton RCMP.

Police executed a search warrant on the Green Essence marijuana dispensary at 409 Martin St. on Sept. 6, seizing approximately 15 pounds of bud marijuana, numerous edibles in the form of cookies and honey, along with oils and waxes. Many of the products were infused with potent amounts of THC known as “shatter”.

A large amount of cash was also seized.

The seizures followed an investigation that confirmed the storefront operation did not have a license to sell marijuana. The investigation also indicated the drug was being sold to anyone, with or without a medical license.

In a statement released this afternoon, Sept. 6, Const. James Grandy said police have provided the business owner several warnings to cease selling marijuana.

“Even if marijuana was legal today, the kinds of THC-infused products they were openly selling would not be legal even in that framework,” he said.

Staff and patrons found inside the store were identified and released pending further investigation, with charges under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act being considered.

Grandy cautions marijuana remains a controlled drug, which the RCMP has a duty to enforce.

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