VANCOUVER'S MARIJUANA MARKETER CALLS IT QUITS IN BATTLE WITH CITY

The best known marijuana crusader in Vancouver -- and Canada -- is calling
it quits.

Marc Emery will be giving up ownership of Hemp B.C., his business that sold
marijuana seeds and growing equipment, and his restaurant, the Cannabis
Cafe, after the city of Vancouver refused to issue business licences.

``The problem with running a revolution through a retail business is you
have to conform,'' said Emery. ``I've been here four years. I have been
nothing but an asset to the city. I've paid a million dollars in taxes. Our
neighbours loved us because we drew money to the area. We were a big
tourist attraction. But I ultimately had to conclude that my name is mud
with city council.''

Vancouver community services director Ted Droettboom said the licences were
refused because the city has a stipulation making it illegal to display
drug paraphernalia.

So why did Hemp B.C. get a licence the last three years?

``I don't know, quite frankly,'' Droettboom said.

Emery has the right to appeal to council, but he said he won't bother.

He'll be turning his businesses over to his employees, who plan to remove
the controversial aspects of the operations -- vapourizers in the
restaurants, seeds and growing equipment in the store and the mail-order
business.

Fourteen people in the mail-order business had to be laid off.

Emery plans to devote his time to putting out a newsletter, the Cannabis
Times, and fighting his ongoing legal battles.