Protestors have brought their anger over last week’s Saskatchewan Compassion Club raid to Saskatoon mayor Don Atchison.
A group gathered outside of city hall Nov. 5 to gain the attention of city officials.
Four staff members at the compassion club were arrested and charged by police, including operator Mark Hauk, who inspired many patients to show support.
“It’s discrimination in every sense of the word,” said Kelly Anderson, a medical cannabis patient and member of the compassion club.
Protestor Shane Moor said after a workplace accident crushed two of his vertebrae, medical marijuana has helped to manage his pain and get him off opiates.
Anderson said those in power at the city are out of touch with the rest of the country, where the federal government is poised to legalize cannabis and Vancouver is regulating its own dispensaries.
The mayor’s security stopped protesters from confronting him directly and refused to meet with, or acknowledge, the group.
“He knows we are here,” Anderson said. “He knows we exist.”
Chief communications officer Richard Brown said the mayor would make no comments on the compassion club and has no intention of being involved with the decisions of the city’s police force.
Anderson said she hoped recently appointed federal justice minister Jody Wilson-Raybould will intervene with local law enforcement on behalf of the compassion club.
“I’m imploring her to step in and help these people get their medicine back,” Anderson said.
For more information about the Saskatchewan Compassion Club, watch the latest instalment of Cannabis in Canada LIVE featuring an interview with operator Mark Hauk.