Medical marijuana lounge Farm Assists searched by Halifax police

A medical marijuana lounge in Halifaxwas raided by police on Thursday and its owner taken into custody, witnesses say.

Halifax Regional Police say officers executed a search warrant at Farm Assists on Gottingen Street in the city's north end.

A customer and a bystander told CBC News that the lounge's owner, ChristopherEnns, was taken away from the scene in a police car. Police confirmed one person was arrested but did not give further details.

No one has been charged.

'It's a shame,' customer says

At least six officers questioned customers and staff inside the business while putting evidence into plastic bags.

A crowd of about a dozenpeoplegathered across the street, yelling at the officers who guarded the door to the business.

Customer Robert Clayton was turned away when he tried to enter. He said he wantedto buy marijuana to treat his anxiety.

"It's a shame. These guys aren't criminals," Clayton said. "I come here a few times a week. None of them are criminals selling medicationto people who need itpeople whose doctors told them they're allowed to have it."

Farm Assists has been raided before

Police raided the store last year andcharged Ennswith several drug trafficking-related offences. His casedrew sympathy from medical marijuana consumers across Canada. The loungepartiallyreopened a few days later.

The store ispermittedtowelcomelicensed medical marijuana users to vaporize their marijuana using smokeless devices. The machinestoast the plantto release the active THC instead of burning it.

Ennshas had a licence to possess medical marijuana. However, storefront operations that sell the drug are illegal, according to Health Canada.Halifax police have saidanyone selling marijuana at this type of business is trafficking illegal drugs.