POT CAFE SETBACK FOR LEGALIZATION, ACTIVIST SAYS

VANCOUVER -- Impatient pot-heads, high enough to think they can force
the legalization of marijuana, are ruining a relaxed relationship with
police by brazenly buying and selling weed in a downtown cafe, says
one legalization activist. "The heat is perceived to be on us even
more because of their activities," said Ted Smith, founder of a 1,300
member compassion club that sells marijuana to sick people.

The Da Kine Smokeshop in the bohemian Commercial Drive neighbourhood
is just in it for the money, while pretending to be a righteous
provider of relief to the ill who say it alleviates pain and
suffering, he said.

Police officers who raided the cafe said later the majority of the
customers in Da Kine were young and unable to show they had a federal
exemption allowing them to smoke pot.

Investigators estimated the shop has gross sales of $500,000 a month.

"They're not furthering the cause, they're hiding behind people in
wheelchairs," said Smith.