Four of six pot dispensaries are back in business after London Police raided and shut down the shops in several crackdowns since the spring.

(Nathan Swinn/CBC) Last week, police raided the London Relief Centre in the downtown core, arresting five people and seizing about $50,000 worth of marijuana products. It reopened on Tuesday.

A coordinated police raid in March saw the closure of five pot dispensaries across the city – three of which are operating today.

Ian Dawkins, president of the Cannabis Association of Canada, said London Police are wasting their time and resources shutting down pot shops that are only going to reopen and increase in number across the city.

"We as a society are evolving and realizing that there are better ways to tackle these problems," he said.

"The best thing law enforcement could do right now is to start getting ready for the future. If they're having this black and white, shut them down attitude, right now then how are they going to be ready for day one of actual legalization?"

Tasty Budd's on Wharncliffe Road reopened after it was shut down by London Police in March. (Hala Ghonaim/CBC)

Dawkins said police should consider reaching out to pot users and consider changes in enforcement geared toward the public interest

However, Murray Faulkner, a former London Police chief, said it's not up to the police to dictate any changes. Instead, pot advocates should take their concerns to lawmakers.

"People want to talk about policing but it's not just about policing … (Pot dispensary owners) know what the legislation is going to be because the government has already said it," he said. "Don't blame the police… (Pot advocates) need to conduct comments to legislation."

As for resources, Faulkner said the force has plenty, with raids and investigations being allotted for.

"It is still illegal (activity) … The London police are doing the right thing in enforcing the law that is still in existence."

Healing Health Compassion dispensary on Wonderland Road reopened after it was raided and shut down by London Police in the spring. (Hala Ghonaim/CBC)

Health Canada regulations allow Canadians to legally purchase medical marijuana from licensed sellers.

Ontario announced a plan to sell marijuana online and in 40 stand-alone LCBO shops when the federal government legalizes recreational pot use on July 1, 2018.

Raided and reopened

Tasty Budd's - 96 Wharncliffe Road South

Healing Health Compassion - 490 Wonderland Road South

Healing Health Compassion -1472 Dundas Street

The London Relief Centre - 691 Richmond Street.

Raided and closed