Nanaimo residents who relied on the Leaf Compassion Cannabis Dispensary will have to look elsewhere to get their fix after the store’s landlord decided to terminate their lease after hearing from the RCMP.
“Our offices have been notified that the intended purpose of your business is for unlawful activity,” wrote Jason Cheung of Victoria-based real estate company Wing Lee Holdings in a letter sent yesterday to owners Kyle Cheyne and Charles Philp. “Under the Commercial Tenancy Act we have an obligation to not facilitate this; furthermore your lease contains contractual obligations to follow any and all government regulations and laws.”
They will at least be getting their damage deposit refunded.
Cheyne said in a Facebook post: “Wing Lee Holdings called me back they will be giving us the full 35k damage deposit back because they have no right terminating a lease when we agreed on the use.”
Earlier this month, North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP raided a Leaf Compassion outlet in neighbouring Chemainus along with two other nearby dispensaries and made several arrests. Leaf Compassion also operates dispensaries in Victoria and on Salt Spring Island, and plan to open a members-only syrup bar and dab lounge on Douglas Street in Victoria on April 1.
The federal Liberal government has promised to table legislation to legalize recreational cannabis use within the next three months.