Pubdate: Thu, 16 Sep 2004 Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB) Copyright: 2004, Canoe Limited Partnership. Contact: http://www.canoe.com/NewsStand/EdmontonSun/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/135 Author: Canadian Press Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmjcn.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/kine+cafe POT CAFE SETBACK FOR LEGALIZATION, ACTIVIST SAYS VANCOUVER -- Impatient pot-heads, high enough to think they can force the legalization of marijuana, are ruining a relaxed relationship with police by brazenly buying and selling weed in a downtown cafe, says one legalization activist. "The heat is perceived to be on us even more because of their activities," said Ted Smith, founder of a 1,300 member compassion club that sells marijuana to sick people. The Da Kine Smokeshop in the bohemian Commercial Drive neighbourhood is just in it for the money, while pretending to be a righteous provider of relief to the ill who say it alleviates pain and suffering, he said. Police officers who raided the cafe said later the majority of the customers in Da Kine were young and unable to show they had a federal exemption allowing them to smoke pot. Investigators estimated the shop has gross sales of $500,000 a month. "They're not furthering the cause, they're hiding behind people in wheelchairs," said Smith. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin