Pubdate: Mon, 13 Sep 2004
Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2004 Calgary Herald
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/calgary/calgaryherald/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66
Author: Krisendra Bisetty / CanWest News Service
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?142 (Safe Injecting Rooms)

SALES BRISK AT DEFIANT POT CAFE

Shop Breaking Law, But Drug Should Be Legal, Says Mayor

People were lined up 20-deep for marijuana outside the Da Kine Food and 
Beverage shop within minutes of its opening Sunday, while across the street 
Vancouver Mayor Larry Campbell said the drug should be legalized.

"I support legalization of marijuana but at the same time that doesn't mean 
they (Da Kine management) get to flout the law until the law is changed," 
Campbell said.

While Da Kine's selling of marijuana was illegal and a police issue, 
Campbell said his earlier comments that it was not a "big deal" was made 
from the point of view that it was open for four months with no complaints.

"Certainly there is a big deal from the point of legality. It's illegal and 
there's nothing the city can do to change that. It's a federal law and this 
idea that we can pass a bylaw that says coffee shops can sell marijuana is 
craziness. We can't do it, it's not a municipal responsibility."

While Da Kine continues to sell marijuana -- "poking a stick at the police" 
- -- Campbell says there would obviously be repercussions, referring to 
Thursday's police raid at the pot shop. In addition to a haul of marijuana 
and cash, Da Kine owner Carol Gwilt and seven employees were arrested.

"My answer is you legalize it and tax the living hell out of it. And every 
bit of the tax should go straight to health care, not the general fund," 
Campbell said.

Gwilt and others linked to her shop have said selling marijuana over the 
counter for medicinal purposes helped get rid of street peddlers. But the 
mayor said the cafe's staff "are peddlers themselves.

"The fact of the matter is that it is against the law, it is illegal, they 
are trafficking in a drug. Would it make any sense if they opened up and 
started selling heroin?"

As customers squeezed inside her store and others lined up outside, Gwilt 
- -- who was possibly contravening a condition of her release from custody 
that she stay away from marijuana -- said in an interview that if Campbell 
can approve of a safe injection site for heroin users, he should do the 
same for those who smoke marijuana.

"There's a safe injection site in Vancouver although heroin is illegal. 
Why? Because there's a need for it, because people are dying on the street. 
And our wonderful mayor has realized this and has come to the aid of his 
people, which is what any good mayor will do," Gwilt said.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager