DISTRICT DISMISSES BONG STORE OWNER'S CHARGE OF DISCRIMINATION

Dave Singh, owner of Hemporium, is vowing to go to court if necessary
in order to sell bongs, pipes, rolling papers and other items Mayor
Gord Robson has described as "drug paraphernalia" in Maple Ridge.

Singh's store was open for only three days before the District of
Maple Ridge closed it because he didn't have a business licence.
After the store was closed the district then rejected his business
licence application.

Brock McDonald, director of business licencing, permits and bylaws,
said the business licence was rejected because of what the business
was selling.

"In discussions with our solicitor it was noted and pointed out to me
that it is a criminal code offence to offer anything for sale which
is designed primarily or intended under the circumstances for
consuming an illicit drug," said Mcdonald. "Based on what I saw when
they were operating and the fact that the majority of materials that
were on display were smoking paraphernalia and there were marijuana
leaves in the window I came to the conclusion that the sale of the
items were for the consumption of illicit drugs.

Singh said he will appeal the decision to Maple Ridge council and if
that doesn't work he'll take the district to court.

"We are not selling any kind of illegal things," he said of his store.

Singh said there are "a bunch" of stores in Maple Ridge selling bongs
and pipes and grinders like he had in his store.

"(The district) doesn't have any problem with that and I don't know
why they're making a big issue in my store," he said.

Singh also pointed out there are hydroponic stores that also have
licences in Maple Ridge. He added there are thousands of stores
similar to his that have business licences across the country.

"If my last name was Carpenter, Greenspan or McDonald it would be a
different story," said Singh. "It's total discrimination."

McDonald said the decision was in no way discriminatory.

"His name could be Smith and my decision would've been the same," he said.

McDonald pointed out that earlier this year the district approached a
convenience store owner and asked him to remove drug paraphernalia
products he was selling, which had upset the community. The merchant complied.

"When we get those concerns we certainly do approach the merchant and
ask that they voluntarily get rid of those," said McDonald.

Singh said it's not his responsibility to police what people do with
the product he sells.

Singh said people use Pepsi cans to do drugs.

"Pepsi cannot be stopped from making cans because people are using
them for drug purposes," he said.

Singh said he has strong community support to remain open, estimating
he has approximately 400 people who signed a petition for the store
to remain open.

"I think this is very strong support," he said, noting the store had
only been open for three days when he collected that number of signatures.