POT SHOP OUT OF BUSINESS

VANCOUVER - The controversial Da Kine Smoke and Beverage Shop has shut
down, surrendering its business licence -- a day before that licence
was to be reviewed at city hall.

The cafe -- which sold marijuana over the counter -- was raided by
Vancouver police last month. Police say the shop had revenues of
nearly $30,000 a day.

Owner Carol Gwilt has been in jail since Sept. 9 on a marijuana
trafficking charge. She appeared in court on Wednesday, along with
seven of her employees arrested in the raid.

She will remain in custody, at least until her next court appearance
on Oct. 20.

Da Kine had been operating for about four months when it was busted.
Gwilt had said the cafe limited sales to 28 grams for customers who
had to be at least 19 years old, but didn't require doctor's notes.

Marijuana activists, such as Marc Emery and David Malmo-Levine, say
the Da Kine represents a milestone in the fight to be able to legally
buy and sell pot in the city.

Malmo-Levine says closing the cafe isn't a sign of defeat, and that
the fight is far from over.

"It's dodge, parry, thrust in this activist business. You take a
stand, and you take your blows, and then you steady yourself, and you
build yourself up for the next time."

"And I'm sure it's not over for anyone who is associated with Da
Kine," he says.

Eileen Mosca, of the Grandview-Woodland Community Policing Centre, has
spoken out against the cafe -- arguing it was operating illegally and
opened without community consultation.

She says the Da Kine's significance has been blown out of proportion.
"Instead of an illegal business on Commercial Drive, it's been made,
by virtue of the internet and it's proponents, what Marc Emery called
the temple of cannabis culture."