A judge has ordered that a London property seized in a police raid on an unlicensed cannabis store be returned to its landlord.
Ontario Provincial Police searched Natural Unity at 91 Wellington St. on July 23, seizing $47,000 worth of cannabis, $1,500 cash and charging a 22-year-old man. The shop was operating without a provincial licence, and the property was held under the Cannabis Control Act.
MBK Holdings, the property owner, applied to the Superior Court of Justice, stating that it was incurring financial losses of more than $3,000 per month in rent, as well as additional security and insurance costs. The company’s directors said they weren’t aware of any illegal activity by the tenant.
Justice Ian Leach granted MBK’s application Sept. 12, but denied legal costs. He also ordered the landlord to tighten lease terms and notify police if future tenants are suspected of cannabis offences.
