VANCOUVER STORE PULLS MARIJUANA OFF SHELVES

'We're Not Shutting Down, And We're Not Backing Down'

VANCOUVER - A Vancouver store that has been openly selling marijuana for
four months has temporarily removed its illegal-drug inventory as it fears
a police raid.

Carol Gwilt, owner of Da Kine Smoke and Beverage Shops Inc., vowed to
resume selling pot and hashish today via the Canadian Sanctuary Society,
whose mandate is to make medicinal marijuana available in a safe environment.

"We'll be back in business soon," said Ms. Gwilt, 38, adding she pulled the
pot to protect her assets. "We're not shutting down, and we're not backing
down. [Jail] is not OK, but it's all part of the deal. Marijuana is a part
of B.C., and it's a part of Canada."

The shop with an Egyptian motif opened four months ago and sells colourful
glass pipes, 16 types of rolling papers, growing products, hemp clothes and
even a T-shirt displaying the original Vancouver Canucks logo -- but with a
marijuana joint in place of the hockey stick. There is also a ventilated
12-seat smoking room.

The society provides a gram of high-grade, organic pot for $10. An ounce is
the largest quantity available. Hash costs between $10 and $50 per gram.
All buyers must be 19.

"You should see us when we open at 11 in the morning, it looks like we're
having a white sale because of the lineup," Ms. Gwilt said. "We envisioned
this because we know there is a lot of people who smoke and we know the
potential -- this is like McDonald's in 1965."

Constable Sarah Bloor, a Vancouver Police spokeswoman, said officers hope
to shut down Da Kine. "This is a business that's on our radar; it's
something we're aware of," she said. "We're in discussion with the city and
our hope is to have the [business] licence removed."

Barb Windsor, the city's deputy chief licence inspector, said Da Kine's
operation might be short-lived for two reasons.

"They are not licensed to sell marijuana and they are also smoking on the
premises," Ms. Windsor said. "We're just reviewing all the information
right now with our legal department so a decision will be made by the end
of the week."

Ms. Windsor said the matter can be referred to council with a
recommendation to either revoke or suspend Da Kine's licence.

Councillor Jim Green agreed the shop may be violating its licence, but
added the city has not received any complaints about Da Kine so it may be
filling a need. "I think we have to take an intelligent, compassionate look
at these things," he said.

Jeremy Schott, who drove for an hour yesterday to visit the shop, was
disappointed to find the drug supply removed.

"I made the trek all the way in here for not much -- that sucks," said the
21-year-old Mr. Schott, who was intent on spending $20 for a quarter gram
of Budder -- a hash resin product that is inhaled. "But this is a great
idea -- it's a relaxing place and it is more civilized than going to a dealer."