RAID BRIEFLY SHUTS VANCOUVER POT CAFE

VANCOUVER - A Vancouver cafe that was openly selling marijuana from a
menu was back in business Friday, a day after police arrested eight
people during a raid.

More than 30 officers closed the Da Kine Smoke and Beverage Shop
Thursday night, while a crowd gathered a block away chanted: "Don't
waste our time" and "We want weed."

Seven of the people arrested were employees of the store and one was a
customer.

At a news conference Friday, police said they observed 230 customers
using the cafe during one 90-minute period, and estimated its owners
were doing business worth $30,000 a day.

"Charges have been recommended and are currently before Crown
counsel," Acting Deputy Chief Bob Rolls said.

Da Kine has been open for four months. Owner Carol Gwilt went public
to describe the operation 10 days ago, saying she hoped to convince
city officials and police her store is a vital part of Vancouver's
plan to reduce the harm of drug use.

She said the cafe limited sales to 28 grams for customers who had to
be at least 19 years old, but didn't require a doctor's note.

Police spokesperson Sarah Bloor said that while the department knew
for more than a week that marijuana was being sold, it conducted an
investigation and obtained a warrant before acting.

"It became a priority when drug traffickers decided to openly flaunt
their activity," she said. "It became a concern to the public. They
brought their concerns to our attention and we've acted on that.

"It was obvious that these individuals had made this very much a
public event."

She denied that political pressure influenced their decision to move
on Da Kine.

Police surround the Da Kine Smoke and Beverage Shop in Vancouver. On
Wednesday, B.C. Solicitor General Rich Coleman criticized city
officials for allowing the shop to stay open, calling it
unacceptable.

But people living in the Commercial Drive neighbourhood where the shop
is located say they don't have a problem with Da Kine.

"It seems to me that it hasn't bothered anybody on the drive,"
long-time resident William Butler said, calling the raid "nothing more
than police and political grandstanding."

Paul Suh, who owns a neighbouring store, said he didn't mind having a
pot cafe on his street: "I think Canadians are known for pot smokers
anyway, so what's the big deal having it?"