An unlicensed cannabis store in New Brunswick has been fined $20,000 following a raid in 2022, while charges against two men connected to the company have been withdrawn.

That search, in coordination with Peace Officers with the Department of Justice and Public Safety and with support from the Codiac Regional RCMP, resulted in the seizure of more than a dozen kilograms of cannabis, 1.5 kg of hash, 91 disposable vape pens, 130 vape carts, 255 grams of live resin,  52 grams of RSO, 200 grams of edibles, and about $10,400 in cash.

First reported by the Telegraph-Journal, Donald Matthew Scott, 42, of Fredericton, and G. James McEwen, 45, were both charged with possessing cannabis for the purpose of selling, in violation of the Cannabis Act. On Tuesday, February 27, Department of Justice and Public Safety officers laid a new charge against the Moncton based company, H.C.A. Wellness Inc. Charges against Scott and McEwen were withdrawn.

Enforcement of New Brunswick and federal cannabis regulations has been an ongoing effort. Most recently, peace officers with the New Brunswick Department of Justice and Public Safety say they arrested a man and woman and seized contraband cannabis and other illegal products from a store in Saint John on January 9. 

Last November, Officers from the New Brunswick Department of Justice and Public Safety seized cannabis products at an unlicensed dispensary in Saint John, with one man arrested.