NOW SMOKE-FREE

Cannabis Cafe Entrepreneur Rethinks Risks of Flouting Law

A cafe opening next week in Osborne Village will not allow customers to
openly smoke marijuana as originally planned because the owner thinks
Winnipeggers are not ready for it.

Two months ago, Chris Dalman -- a self-described "reverend" with the Church
of the Universe -- had plans to open a cannabis cafe where customers could
smoke marijuana for medicinal or religious reasons.

Now, he says he's not ready to challenge the law and risk being shut down.

"I've invested thousands of dollars to establish a venue like this. I'm not
willing to risk it all, have it all taken away by pushing the issue too
much," he said yesterday.

Plans have changed, he said, because he's not willing to throw away his
life's work for something society's not ready to handle.

"It would probably mean I would be kicked out of there," Dalman said,
adding he's disappointed. "Winnipeg might not be ready for a cafe that has
open smoking (of marijuana) -- Canada might not be ready. We're willing to
work at that ... The timing will come in the future. As to when, I'm not
sure yet."

He plans to keep working at his "life goal" to open a cafe that acts as "a
sanctuary for true believers of cannabis" -- but not necessarily at the
Osborne site.

'Religious or Medical Reasons'

"I would love to have marijuana being smoked in here for religious and
medicinal reasons -- only by adults, healthy, responsible adults -- but in
respect to views in society, my landlord and fellow tenants in the
building, I am restricted to not do that at this time," he said.

While the Humble Hemp Co. -- The Cannabis Devout Mission Retail/Cafe is
scheduled to open Tuesday, the food services will not be fully operational
until April 20, Dalman said.

The cafe is inside the 166 Osborne St. building, which also houses Urban
Barn, Stella's Cafe and Bakery, and radio stations 92 CITI-FM and KY-58.

Hemp products -- like food, clothing, cosmetics, fabric and jewelry -- will
be sold and "educational" books and brochures about cannabis will be
available, Dalman said.

Geoff Hughes, spokesman for the Manitoba Compassion Club, said he's
disappointed by Dalman's decision, but understands his hesitation. The
19-member club dispenses marijuana -- without government approval -- to
people with serious illnesses.

"It's a very practical decision," Hughes said. "It's a big risk. It's too
bad it's so risky to allow pot smoking."