For almost 12 years, M.A.C.R.O.S., the Mobile Access Compassionate Resources Organization Society, provided patient counseling and sold a variety of products (i.e. dried flower, oils, tinctures, concentrates and edibles) exclusively to society members. Their expertise, reputation, and effort to align with municipal bylaws and federal laws (medical cannabis was legalized in 2001) created a place fitting of endorsement by local law enforcement.

On July 22 2015, M.A.C.R.O.S. was raided and the family was individually charged with possession of dried flower with intent to traffic, while the corporation, Hemperalis Fidelis Ltd. was charged with housing an illegal identity. Soap making equipment and less than 3 pounds of dried flower were seized.

M.A.C.R.O.S. served over 1000 patients and many were left without access to their medicine after the raid. It’s hard to imagine fighting cancer, living a life in chronic pain, or managing a condition that leaves you bedridden 95% of the time, but these are some of the struggles faced by dispensary patients.

M.A.C.R.O.S. is Edmonton’s first dispensary, and after 16 months of uncertainty and speculation, on December 2, 2016, they learned that the Crown had prepared a deal. All individual charges were dropped and Hemperalis Fidelis Ltd was charged with possession of resin and edibles with intent to traffic and fined $5000 plus $1500 for victim charges.

By charging the corporation and not the individuals, the Alberta court potentially set a precedent for any future cases in the province and perhaps others. Aaron Bott, President of M.A.C.R.O.S, says he believes the court knew that any individual charges or direct charges against M.A.C.R.O.S. would trigger a constitutional challenge, a fight he was willing to take to the Supreme Court.

However, the devil is in the details. According to Bott 1) the charge filed against Hemperalis Fidelis Ltd is contrary to the evidence seized during the raid and 2) the Crown’s accusations of making and selling edibles are unfounded as a kitchen is absent and no edibles, baking supplies or equipment were seized. This decision by the Crown leaves many questions unanswered but might indicate how Alberta will proceed and what they might target e.g. cannabis concentrates as Canada moves forwards with full legalization.

With the trial behind them, the M.A.C.R.O.S. family returns to a new normal. Hemper Fi is closed permanently, and although M.A.C.R.O.S. remains a valuable online resource, a re-emergence into the community is undecided. Bott, recharged by his experience, is moving forwards with the Alberta Medical Marijuana Society, and will continue to educate and advocate for a free and fair market economy.

In spite of Trudeau’s stance on dispensaries as illegal, Western Canada continues to move forward. British Columbia stands out for its role in Canadian cannabis history with credits for developing licensing regulations under the Canadian Association of Medical Cannabis Dispensaries (CAMCD). An emerging grey market is sparking interest among city councilors and local law enforcement in many municipalities who recognize the value of licensing dispensaries for the health and prosperity of their respective communities.

Some cities are waiting for the Federal Government to take more affirmative action; others such as Calgary’s Mayor Nenshi see a retail cannabis market as a boon to the city’s economy and have started the conversation around local regulation. Edmonton’s City Councillors Nickel and Walters are also calling for a more proactive approach as demonstrated by many B.C. municipalities.

Dispensaries provide a much needed service in the absence of municipal resources. Aaron Bott, President of M.A.C.R.O.S., Edmonton’s first dispensary, followed CAMCD's regulatory framework, registered his society, and had relevant city permits.

Hemper Fi (Hemperalis Fidelis Ltd.) was a legitimate hemp store that sold handmade soaps and other outsourced hemp products. It was the storefront for M.A.C.R.O.S., a registered society that only served members with a medical document for cannabis. M.A.C.R.O.S. began as a mobile delivery service in 2004 but as the need for medical cannabis grew, Bott and his parents Janice and Bob Cyre, expanded their service in 2010 to the brick-and-mortar model.