Medical marijuana club fears intimidation

The co-founder of a Montreal-area medical marijuana club says he worries criminal elements are trying to shut down his operation after he was the victim of a home invasion early Tuesday.

At around 12:30 am, two men forced their way into Gary Webbers Dorval home. Webber and a friend were at home at the time.

Once inside the house de lglise Street, the men hit Webber's friend on the head with the butt of a gun before tying both men up, Montreal police said.The intruders told Webber they knew him and demandedhe turn over his keys to the marijuana club, police said.

Webber, who is the co-founder of the Culture 420 Compassion Club in Lachine, said the men also ordered him to shut down the not-for-profit organization, which he said serves onlyclients who have permits to use medical marijuana.

"I guess last nights attack was somebody trying to give us a warning," said Webber, who helped open the club just two months ago. "We were told they were unhappy with the fact we were operating a business in Lachine."

Themen also stole a laptop, Webber said.

'We have a mission'

Webber said he was saddened by thehome invasion,but acknowledged the culprits may be people who have visited the club.

"It is really unfortunate, because theyre not at all stealing from me they are stealing from the poor people that need [the marijuana]," he said.

One purpose of the club is to provide safe access to marijuana, so peoplewho use it for medical reasons " dont have to go to parks and that sort of thing" to buy it."

Webber, who uses medical marijuana himself to treat chronic pain, said he wont be intimidated.

"Were not going to stop what were doing. We feel we have a mission and a duty to do what were doing."

So far, Webber said, there have been no problems at the club itself, adding there is always security on hand.

The thieves also stole a laptop, Webber said.

It istoo soon to speculate on a motive for the break-in,said Montreal police Const. Daniel Lacoursire. He said the operators of the marijuana club have been advised to change the locks.

Theintruders are described as two men in their late 20s or early 30s.