MAN RUNNING 'LICENSED' POT CAFE PLEADS GUILTY TO DRUG CHARGES

Chris Goodwin never hid the purpose of the Up in Smoke Cafe.

On its business licence application, it was described as "a cannabis
cafe."

Even before it opened, Goodwin told everyone within earshot - police,
politicians, the media, business owners - that his customers would be
invited to smoke pot in his shop.

Up in Smoke Cafe was "no hidey hole for persons to indulge their
secret vices," Justice Anton Zuraw said Tuesday.

"This was a highly publicized, in-your-face operation, duly licensed
by the City of Hamilton" which was "more than surprising."

It was clear from the start, Zuraw said as he sentenced Goodwin to
42 months in jail, over and above the 38 days he has already served.

Goodwin pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis resin, possession of
marijuana for the purpose of trafficking, selling or distributing drug
paraphernalia, breach of bail conditions and promoting the sale of
various items used in the consumption of marijuana.

Hamilton police and even Goodwin himself all wonder how he got a
business licence.

The city's director of building and licensing Tom Redmond said "it is
unfair to say staff dropped the ball."

"Staff followed all procedures," Redmond insisted.