SYDNEY, NS — People burst into cries of anger, disappointment and disgust when a judge ruled Donald James Campbell be kept in jail until a proposed bail hearing on Dec. 8.
The courtroom was packed. Campbell’s mother was overcome with emotion and had to be taken out by wheelchair as her son was escorted out.
Campbell is one of three people charged after Cape Breton Regional Police Service raided two commercial properties and two residential properties on Dec. 1. During the raid, police allegedly found marijuana, marijuana products and $20,000.
The two commercial properties are known as Cape Breton Medical Cannabis, a medical marijuana dispensary operating for more than six months.
More than 60 people went to support Campbell at his first court appearance on Monday. Some, like Jeff Tobin, had letters they wanted to read to the judge, explaining how CBMC’s service had improved their lives.
“CBMC saved my life. I’ll be here standing by their side no matter what they go through,” said the married father of two.
Severe back pain, caused by two herniated discs and a mass wedged between one disc and his spinal cord, led Tobin to many doctors and to try many prescription drugs.
“After surgery my pain didn’t get any better . . . to use the bathroom, my bedroom was in the basement and I would have to do a kid-crawl to get up the stairs,” said Tobin, who lives in Glace Bay.
That’s when he decided to try medical marijuana and went to CBMC six months ago. Now the 34-year-old says he is doing things he had’t done in years and is the most pain-free he’s been since he was 16.
“Since I started that treatment about six months ago, I can take (my kids), throw them over my head, play with them. I used to never be able to get on the floor with them. . . . It’s a miracle what these guys have done for me with this stuff,” Tobin said.
“Being able to do stuff for my kids is everything for me. They come before my wife so to be able to do stuff with them means the world to me.”
Since CBMC’s clients have to get a doctor to sign documentation stating they need medical marijuana products, CBMC helps clients get their licence to be legally able to carry it.
Campbell, 38, of Grand Lake Road, is charged with two counts of possession for trafficking, one count of producing cannabis, five counts of breaching a court order, one count of possession of a firearm while prohibited to do so, and one count of unlawfully storing a firearm.
Two CBMC employees were also charged: Paul Raymond Theriault, 39, of Upper Prince Street, and Stephanie Marie Boutilier, 24, of Grand Lake Road.
Theriault, who was volunteering at CBMC, was charged with one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking and one count of trafficking.
Boutilier was charged with one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking. It is unknown if she was volunteering her time or being paid to work there.
Campbell is expected back in court on Dec. 8 for a bail hearing. All three will appear in court on Jan. 12.
The CBMC Grand Lake Road location opened for business Monday afternoon.
