Will they reopen? Saint John police return keys to 6 raided pot shop owners

Saint John police have returned the keys to the owners of six medicinal marijuana dispensaries raided on Tuesday.

It's unclear if or when the businesseswill reopen.

Twelve people owners and employees were arrested and arefacing charges of possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking because police say they they are unlicensed to sell.

Details about the size and value of the seizures have not yet been released.

• Police raids on Saint John pot shops shock advocacy group

Officers are still "weighing and itemizing," and compiling lists to file with the courts, Saint John Police Force Sgt. CharlesBreentold CBC News.

It could be another couple of days before he has a final tally, he said.

Police did not issue any warnings about reopening when the keys were returned, according toBreen.

Sorry for the inconvenience.-HBB Medical Inc. Facebook post

Breendid advise through the media on Tuesday, however, that if the dispensaries reopen, they "will be revisited again by our department."

HBB Medical Inc., one of the locations raided, posted on FacebookWednesday afternoon that all previously scheduled Skype appointments between their clients and their doctor would proceed on-site, at 199 Chesley Dr.

"Anyone that had their appointment for yesterday, please send a [private message] and we will get you rescheduled. Sorry for the inconvenience," the post states.

Owner Hank Merchant could not immediately be reached for comment.

Court dates may be after legalization

The 12 people charged have been released on promises to appear in court on May 2.

The federal Liberal Party has announced plans to legalize marijuana thisspring.

Breen said police have "no control" over whether the accused will go through the court system before the anticipated legislation changes.

"We'll do our investigation, we will present the files to the Crown, the Crown will review them and make whatever decisions they will make as to what will happen with them," he said.

As it stands,the plant remains illegal under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

Decisions on how or whether to enforce current pot laws have largely fallen to municipal policing agencies.

Chief John Bates said police could no longer "stand by" while the dispensaries operated "outside the law."

"To dispense medical marijuana, you have to be licensed by the federal government. These were unlicensed establishments," he had said.

"As the chief law enforcement officer for a community, you have to make a decision whether you're just going to turn a blind eye to scofflaws that are operating openly or brazenly, or if you're going to make a stand and enforce the laws of the land."

Police also executedsearch warrantsat:

• Medicinal Grounds, 104 Prince William St.
• Medicinal Grounds, 505RothesayAve.
• BCW, 8 Simpson Dr.
• KingCanna, 76GermainSt.
• HBB Medical Inc., 1714RothesayRd.

The raids stemmed from an investigation by the Saint John Police Force integrated street crimeunit, which consists of officers from the Saint John Police Force,KennebecasisRegional Police Service and theRCMP.

The street crime unit wasassisted during the raids by members of theRCMPsouthern district street crime unit and uniform patrol officers of the Saint John Police Force.