Pubdate: Wed, 20 May 2009
Source: Metro (Vancouver, CN BC)
Page: 3
Copyright: 2009 Metro Canada
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/vancouver
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3775
Author: Mine Salkin
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?196 (Emery, Marc)

EMERY LICENCE ON HOLD

Hearing On Prince Of Pot's Business Operations Delayed

Pot activist Marc Emery will have to wait nearly two months to learn 
if he can keep open his three businesses on West Hastings Street.

Barbara Windsor, the city's chief licence inspector, said Emery's 
company, Avalon Sunsplash Limited, should not have its business 
licence renewed due to his 2004 conviction for drug trafficking and 
police reports of open drug use on the premises.

Windsor said the 420 Convenience Store, the Cannabis Culture Magazine 
and Marc Emery's Cannabis Culture Headquarters had a "significant 
number of city bylaw breaches" since 2001.

Upon cross-examination by lawyer Kirk Tousaw, Windsor admitted the 
city was unaware of the full legalities of the B.C. medical marijuana laws.

"I am unaware if the police took steps to see if people were using 
the lounge for medicinal purposes," she said.

Tousaw also said the drug-trafficking conviction was a result of 
Emery passing a joint to a political supporter.

Outside the council room, Emery said the city failed to acknowledge 
the positive economic and social effects his businesses made to the 
"challenging area" in the Downtown Eastside.

"We're not leaving the community," he said.

Emery's hearing will resume July 21.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom