Saskatchewan Compassion Club trio headed to trial

Three people charged in a bust of a medical marijuana dispensary have been committed to trial.

A preliminary hearing for Mark Hauk, Jeff Lundstrom and Jaime Michelle Hagel wrapped up in Saskatoon Provincial court on Thursday. The three havebeen charged with trafficking marijuana and cannabis resin and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.

Police raided the SaskatchewanCompassion Club in October of 2015. Marijuana was seized from the club, which eventually closed down, although it still has a presence online.

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The club, which opened up in August of 2015, was designed to help people gain access to medical marijuana more easily.

Saskatoon police had previously warned founder Mark Hauk that the club would be closed down if it was found to be breaking the law.

Health Canada had also warned the dispensary that if it did not cease and desist activity, it would refer the file to the RCMP.

At the time, investigators told reporters they were not targeting customers of the Compassion Club.

The detective inspector said the owner of the club was aware that arrests could happen.

Owner Mark Hauk tried in vain to get a business licence from the City of Saskatoon, frequently appearing before Saskatoon City Council. However, his request was eventually denied.

Charges against a fourth woman were stayed by the crown.

The arrests happened at a confusing time for medical marijuana law in the country. At the time, no one was sure what direction the newly elected Liberal government would take when drafting legislation about medical and recreational marijuana.

Earlier this week, a national task force made more than80 recommendations to the Liberals, including setting the minimum age of purchasing marijuana at 18, taxing higher THC products at a higher rate and to limit public possession to 30 grams of the drug.

A trial date has not been set.