Saskatoon's compassion club raid 'last gasp of cannabis prohibition': pot expert

The director of the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition says the raid of Saskatoon's compassion club is "a last gasp of acannabis prohibition era."

Donald MacPherson says he's been following what has been happening in Saskatoon and the remarks of the city's police chief, saying the force is taking a very hard line on cannabis possession and dispensaries.

• Saskatchewan Compassion Club raided by Saskatoon police

• Saskatoon medical marijuana dispensary owner outraged over 'gutless' police raid

But he doesn't think thishardline approach can last, given the new federal government has promised to legalize marijuana.

"Police are in a tough spot in a way, as a community across the country, and they're using their discretion to take different tactics," MacPherson toldSaskatoon Morninghost Leisha Grebinski.

"I would like to think that the police would begin to back off these kind of actions in this interim period," he said.

MacPherson says in Vancouver, police have taken a different approach. There, he said police have acknowledged the shift in public opinion.

The city regulatesdispensaries are by zoning bylaws, amethod is supported by police, and according to MacPherson, Victoria is looking at using a similar model.

"It's clear to see that we're in a transitional period here in Canada and various jurisdictions are treating the issue of these medical dispensaries differently," MacPherson said.

The Saskatchewan Compassion Club re-opened its shop today without its stock of marijuana.