LOCAL HEMPYZ HEAD-SHOP UP IN SMOKE

City Staff Deny Business Licence To Former Marijuana Party
Candidate

A Langley head-shop owner says the city is spoiling all his fun by
trying to close down his Hempyz Gifts and Novelties store.

"This is a Disney store for pot smokers. It's harmless," Randy Caine,
who admits to being a 1960s vintage pot smoker, said yesterday.

Inside the small shop in the 20500-block Fraser Highway, a sign
celebrates "Hallowe'ed." What looks like a Canadian flag sports a pot
leaf instead of the Maple Leaf.

"The shop has a slant. Everything is about pot. It's really a '60s
shop. I'm an old hippie feeling nostalgic. This is a pile of fun,"
said Caine, a 54-year-old film-industry worker.

Hempyz does not sell materials used for smoking marijuana, such as
bongs or pipes.

Langley City staff denied Hempyz a business licence on Oct. 23, based
on the fact that local zoning does not allow hemp sales.

Caine, who lost a seven-year court battle in 2000 trying to have
Canada's marijuana laws ruled unconstitutional, said he was lectured
by Mayor Peter Fassbender the same day.

"I heard a tirade from the mayor about promoting drug use," said
Caine, who is being fined $100 a day.

Fassbender said he doesn't mind being called a "Neanderthal" if it
will prevent the spread of drugs.

"The store says it's cool to be a pothead. I'm sick and tired of
seeing this kind of trivialization of what is still an illegal substance.

"The store is about celebrating the pot leaf. He says he's having fun.
He's got stylized T-shirts with a pot leaf and the [fake] Canadian
flag. I don't want that kind of fun in my community. Pot is a gateway
drug.

"The next step is somebody coming to an elementary school and
targeting our youth. It's a slippery slope to other drugs," said
Fassbender, who has instituted programs to deal with drug-related
crime and social issues in the city of 25,000.

"People expect the mayor to stand up for what he believes in," said
Fassbender.

Fassbender said there was no political pressure exerted on staff to
deny the business licence.

Caine, who has previously run as a candidate for the Marijuana Party,
said the grand opening will be on Halloween -- or Hallowe'ed -- night
tomorrow.

Fassbender said the matter is in the hands of city lawyers. It could
come back before council if Caine exercises his right to appeal
staff's decision to city council.