Law Society of BC settlement shows how illicit cannabis industry players could obtain a presence in the legal retail sector through lawyers and consultants.
Veteran New Westminster-based criminal defence lawyer Robert L. Dick has agreed to a two-month suspension for assisting a client involved in the illicit cannabis industry obtain a retail licence via a nominee applicant.
According to a Law Society of BC consent agreement posted July 2, Dick agreed he committed professional misconduct, including failing to “be on guard against becoming the tool or dupe of an unscrupulous client or other persons.”
In relation to dealing with this client, Dick failed to make reasonable inquiries about his client’s business venture, including the source of funds.
Dick ultimately continued to act on his client’s behalf despite having no reasonable grounds to believe the venture was legitimate.
Lawyer helped client use nominee as advised by a consultant of the provincial government licensing process: society
In 2018, Dick was approached by his client, referred to as “DC,” concerning a proposed application for a retail cannabis licence.
Dick had met DC about 20 years earlier through his criminal practice, when DC and his associate, referred to as “GS,” were both understood by Dick to be involved in the illicit cannabis industry, the agreement states.
Alongside DC and GS, Dick attended a provincial government licensing application consultation meeting in early summer 2018 wherein the consultant from Rising Tide Consultants “expressed concern with respect to both DC and GS as applicants for the licensing process, due to their apparent former involvement in the illicit cannabis industry and issues with their taxes reportedly not being up to date
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