Dozens rally at Sydney courthouse after marijuana dispensary busts

More than 50 people rallied at the courthouse in Sydney, N.S., todayin support of three people charged following marijuana seizures at homes and businesses late last week.

Police said two of the four Sydney locations raided on Friday were illegal dispensaries operating under the name Cape Breton Medical Cannabis.

Supporters of the accused stood outside the courtroomon Monday shouting"plants not pills" assheriffs stood by.

They continued to protest inside the courtroomchanting"we want our medicine" as one of the accused was led in. The judge warned spectators to be quiet or face being removed from the court.

The mother of one of the accused attended today's court date and criticized last week's raids.

"He did crime when he was young and now he's out to help the people and give back to the community, and this is what
they do to him," she said."They wrecked his houses. They wrecked his businesses. They wrecked everything."

One of the protesters, Amanda Forrest,said she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia two years ago and doctors prescribed her pain medicationand anti-depressants.

"Nothing worked. They made me sick. They made me angry," she said. "A couple of months ago, I became a patientof Cape Breton Medical Cannabis and since then, I amable to do things with my kids.It eases my migraines."

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Forrest said her migraines have returned this week because she hasn't been able to get cannabis since the raid.

Three Sydney residents were charged: one with firearm offences and two with possession for the purpose of trafficking in marijuana. Police also seized $20,000 in cash and 11.3 kilograms of marijuana.

Two of the accused will be back in court later this month for election and to enter pleas. The man facing firearms charges remains in custody and will be back in court on Friday for a bail hearing.