Police descend on east-end head shop

[Euphoric]

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Con...=1161814692905

Police descend on east-end head shop
Oct. 26, 2006. 12:32 AM

Toronto police raided a drug paraphernalia shop associated with a group advocating the use of medical marijuana Wednesday night, arresting more than 20 people and seizing pot, hash and cannabis plants. The G13 Shop, a three-storey house on Queen St. E. near Woodbine Ave., became the subject of a police investigation about a month ago after Beach area residents and businesses began complaining about disorderly conduct.
Police charged about 10 people with trafficking drugs and the rest for possession, drug squad Det. Sgt. Larry Cowley said.
He said they also seized about five pounds of pot and hash as well as about 75 marijuana plants, adding more accurate numbers would be available soon.
Named after a strain of marijuana that, according to the shop’s website, is known for prolonged strong effects without inducing paranoia, the G13 Shop advocates for the medical use of cannabis, which the website says “has been misrepresented by the government through prohibition and propaganda.”
The website says the shop’s purpose is to educate people about “how organic growing methods can improve your health.”
According to the website and a sign on the front of the building, the G13 Shop is associated with the Toronto chapter of the Assembly of the Church of the Universe, which was voted the city’s “best house of worship” by an annual reader poll in the current issue of NOW Magazine.
The “church” is housed in the basement of Trinity St. Paul’s Church on Bloor St. W. north of Spadina Ave. and claims the Old Testament gives proof that cannabis was an ingredient in holy oil from the time of Exodus.
NOW says perspective parishioners shoudn't expect to be zoned out on special brownies at the church and quotes Rev. Brother Bruce as saying: “We want to be sure people are actually true of heart.”