Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have seized more than 6,000 cannabis plants and over 300 kilograms of processed marijuana from a property southwest of St. Thomas, following an investigation triggered by a Health Canada alert.
On Thursday, OPP confirmed that their cannabis enforcement team began investigating a residence on Talbot Line near Coyne Road in Elgin County. Health Canada, the national regulator for marijuana, had flagged the property due to its association with three expired licenses for growing medicinal marijuana.
The investigation led to a search of the property on November 28, where authorities found 6,060 cannabis plants and 345 kilograms of processed marijuana.
While no charges have been laid, the investigation remains ongoing, according to the OPP.
Health Canada’s rules allow medical marijuana users to either purchase their supply from a licensed producer, grow it themselves, or designate others to grow it for them. Up to four designated growers can cultivate an unlimited number of cannabis plants at a single location, without needing municipal approval or compliance with zoning and building codes.
However, police suggest that some individuals exploit this system to feed the illegal cannabis market.
“Those seeking to conceal their illegal activity behind legitimate licenses often take advantage of the system,” said OPP Detective Inspector Anne Goodwin.
Goodwin also noted that the legal framework for growing medicinal marijuana presents challenges for law enforcement, particularly in securing search warrants for such properties. Only Health Canada has the authority to revoke a grower’s license, making it more difficult for police to take action in these cases.
The investigation into the Elgin County property is ongoing.
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