All four companies running unlicensed marijuana dispensaries in Saint John have reopened a month after they were raided by police.

Tony Lively and Dave Lyons had the door open in the sunshine as they cleaned up their business, Medicinal Grounds.

"[The police] left quite a mess," said Lively, while taking a break from vacuuming the Rothesay Avenue location.

The pair said they were friends of Medicinal Grounds' owner Ryan Francis, who they said isn't allowed in the store.

"He's not giving up," said Lively, "it's just because he's not allowed on the premises."

BCW Medical has also reopened, after being raided Jan. 24. (CBC) Medicinal Grounds is the fourth location to reopen after the Saint John police raided six locations on Jan. 24.

Police arrested 12 people, charging them with possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking.

It didn't take long for the stores to reopen. King Canna on Germain Street was first, finding new employees within days.

HBB Medical Inc. followed shortly after, and as of last Friday, BCW Medical Inc. reopened as well.

Two other locations, one owned by HBB and another by Medicinal Grounds remain closed.

"I assume the cops will likely be by later today to stick their nose in," Lively said, adding he was nervous about their return.

But Lively said if he were to be charged, he predicted they would be dropped when the federal government introduces marijuana legislation this spring.

Stores over mail-order

Like others, Lively said many medical marijuana users prefer to buy smaller dosages from stores, rather than through mail order companies such as Organigram.

"[I] wish they would see the other side of it," said Lively, adding the store was just trying to help people and isn't a de facto drug dealer.

The Saint John police declined to comment on the reopening of the dispensaries.

In the past, spokesperson Sgt. Charles Breen said stores which reopen will be revisited by police.