News (Media Awareness Project) - CN AB: Pot Shop Near Cop Shop |
| Title: | CN AB: Pot Shop Near Cop Shop |
| Published On: | 2001-12-04 |
| Source: | Edmonton Sun (CN AB) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-01-25 02:55:36 |
POT SHOP NEAR COP SHOP
Paraphernalia Outlet Is Also Across The Street From Courthouse
The irony of a pot paraphernalia store and cafe moving in right across from
the provincial courthouse isn't lost on city cops. And police say the new
store's location near police headquarters and the Law Courts building is
convenient, since it makes it easier to watch for any suspect fumes
drifting out the front door at 10253 97 St.
"They're going to catch the eye of the police on a daily basis," said
police spokesman Sgt. Jeff Anderson.
"If that's directly in line - and it sounds like it - with the east side of
the courthouse, then certainly every day that a policeman comes out of that
courthouse they'll probably see this business. It's not soon forgotten."
Marijuana Party of Alberta leader Ken Kirk said the party's offices are
moving to the new site, and will operate much like a cafe and a "head shop"
selling pot paraphernalia.
Kirk promised there won't be reefer for sale in his new shop, although
customers will be able to pick up pipes and bongs. He didn't rule out the
possibility of the occasional toke by a brave customer on the premises,
however.
Anderson said a cafe where marijuana is smoked openly would definitely draw
the attention of city police.
The new Edmonton store's location isn't unprecedented, since an area of
Vancouver notorious for its drug trade is situated near a courthouse and
cop station also, said B.C. Marijuana Party founder and marijuana-seed
mogul Marc Emery.
His said his experience has been that the law lands lightly on weed sales
that happen out in the open.
"The more open you are about doing something, generally the courts give you
a smaller and smaller penalty," Emery said.
Emery said he'd be willing to sponsor a pot cafe venture in Edmonton, but
he's having a hard time finding an entrepreneur willing to get arrested and
possibly lose assets to seizure by police.
"They don't have to charge you," he noted. "They can just take this away
and you'll have to sue the police to try and get this back."
Paraphernalia Outlet Is Also Across The Street From Courthouse
The irony of a pot paraphernalia store and cafe moving in right across from
the provincial courthouse isn't lost on city cops. And police say the new
store's location near police headquarters and the Law Courts building is
convenient, since it makes it easier to watch for any suspect fumes
drifting out the front door at 10253 97 St.
"They're going to catch the eye of the police on a daily basis," said
police spokesman Sgt. Jeff Anderson.
"If that's directly in line - and it sounds like it - with the east side of
the courthouse, then certainly every day that a policeman comes out of that
courthouse they'll probably see this business. It's not soon forgotten."
Marijuana Party of Alberta leader Ken Kirk said the party's offices are
moving to the new site, and will operate much like a cafe and a "head shop"
selling pot paraphernalia.
Kirk promised there won't be reefer for sale in his new shop, although
customers will be able to pick up pipes and bongs. He didn't rule out the
possibility of the occasional toke by a brave customer on the premises,
however.
Anderson said a cafe where marijuana is smoked openly would definitely draw
the attention of city police.
The new Edmonton store's location isn't unprecedented, since an area of
Vancouver notorious for its drug trade is situated near a courthouse and
cop station also, said B.C. Marijuana Party founder and marijuana-seed
mogul Marc Emery.
His said his experience has been that the law lands lightly on weed sales
that happen out in the open.
"The more open you are about doing something, generally the courts give you
a smaller and smaller penalty," Emery said.
Emery said he'd be willing to sponsor a pot cafe venture in Edmonton, but
he's having a hard time finding an entrepreneur willing to get arrested and
possibly lose assets to seizure by police.
"They don't have to charge you," he noted. "They can just take this away
and you'll have to sue the police to try and get this back."
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