Windsor Police have shut down a west Windsor pot shop.
Members of the Drugs and Guns Unit arrived to Compassion House on Tecumseh Rd W at Church St around 5pm Tuesday.
Police officials say a warrant was issued under the Cannabis Act.
While recreational marijuana use became legal in Canada on October 17, retail pot shops are not allowed to operate in Ontario until April of next year.
This resident, who did not want to be named, was nearby when the raid happened and says he saw four or five people taken away in handcuffs.
"I look in the store and there's a half a dozen police officers already inside. They walk out about four people, maybe five, they're all handcuffed and they go in the paddy wagon and they just drive off."
Police confirm four adults were taken into custody and one other suspect is outstanding.
One resident, who did not want to be named, says police should be taking a more relaxed approach as storefronts will be legal in the new year.
"I'm a little surprised because it's kind of legal, I think. I know you're able to get it through the Ontario Cannabis website and I know they're backed up. So that's all I really know about the weed situation."
Compassion House on Tecumseh Rd W at Church St (Photo by AM800's Rob Hindi)
Another man, who did not want to be named, purchased cannabis at the store on October 31 and says the operation seemed questionable.
"Like a back alley deal. Like a transaction I would make with my buddies when I would buy pot illegally. He weighted up what I wanted. He took the cash and gave me a baggie and I walked out of the store. I didn't see him go to the counter, put the money in the till or anything like that. So it just kind of felt like a drug deal, but in a store."
He says employees at the shop had him fill out a membership form and then told him he was allowed to buy.
"I wasn't sure that that was real. I thought that they weren't supposed to be selling anything here until about April. They had some papers in there. You basically just filled it out with your name, date of birth and then they gave me a card and said, "You're good to go. Go purchase some pot." So when I was here on Wednesday I purchased $30 worth of pot."
Shortly after the raid, police were seen turning people away as they arrived at the storefront.
Around 8pm, officers removed several boxes from the business.
Compassion House is run by local pot activist Leo Lucier.
— with files from AM800's Rob Hindi
JUST IN - @WindsorPolice have removed some items from the Compassion House on Tecumseh Rd. near Church. Police have been here for a few hours. Shop is now closed as police continue to investigate. #cklw @AM800News pic.twitter.com/OIbXvcnSMK
— Rob Hindi (@rhindi800) November 7, 2018