cannabisnews.com: Hemp BC and Cannabis Cafe Closed! Hemp BC and Cannabis Cafe Closed! Posted by FoM on June 18, 1999 at 22:21:10 PT Cannabis Culture: Hotpot, Jun-15-1999 Source: Cannabis Culture On June 9, BC Supreme Court Justice Thomas Melnick upheld a city council decision to deny Hemp BC and the Cannabis Cafe their business licence. At the same time, Melnick granted an injunction to Vancouver city council lawyers to close the two proprietorships. Hemp BC and the Cannabis Cafe were founded by marijuana activist Marc Emery, who stirred up local, national and even international politics by thrusting reefers into the lenses of cameras from his throne at Hemp BC since 1994. When Emery's message received major media coverage, his stores were raided by Vancouver Police. Behind the scenes on attempts to close the stores was Philip Owen, the city's mayor. Now the two locations are closed, and their phones disconnected.The closure of the cafe represents a victory for Owen, who has waged a personal battle against Hemp BC since he took office in an election race against Marc Emery, who ran on a platform of city-wide tolerance for marijuana users, growers and distributors. Since his inauguration, Owen has repeatedly urged Vancouver Police to raid the store, publicly vowed that the store would be "toast", and organized city conferences featuring well-known prohibitionists from the US. At times, Vancouver police have cooperated with US Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) agents in collecting evidence against Hemp BC and the Cannabis Cafe. Mayor Owen's connections with US prohibitionist bigwigs leads to the conclusion that the mayor has made himself the representative and pawn of US interests in Vancouver, and that the NCIS investigation was a reflection of that reality.Mayor Owen's final attempt to close Hemp BC and the Cannabis Cafe involved denying the stores their business licence, on the basis that first Emery, and then Icee, had criminal records - charges of selling paraphernalia stemming from raids on the stores. The city hearings into the matter were characterized by shows of bad faith and slander against Icee. The city presented reams of tabloid fodder concerning Marc Emery's previous ownership of the store, Sister Icee's personal life and beliefs, and problems stemming from the red-light district several blocks away (with the suggestion that they were caused by Hemp BC). Previously the city had promised, in Supreme Court, to focus only on issues directly related to the granting of a business licence.By upholding the city's injunction to close Hemp BC, the Supreme Court of British Columbia has given a big thumbs up to the untold abuse of fairness and decency in the province. The Supreme Court has effectively told local police that it is okay to represent US interests on Canadian soil. Okay to hold biased and unfair hearings, and to break promises made under oath. Okay to use government offices as a weapon against political rivals. In effect, the Supreme Court decision has not only thrown the administration of justice into disrepute, it has also made a mockery of government.By Reverend Damuzi Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #7 posted by H.A. on May 12, 2001 at 18:40:56 PT Pot I agree people that smoke pot exclusivley are usually down to earth, open minded people. Those with families are unlike Drunks that beat or neglect their children. I definately want to see it decriminalized to grow your own personal supply and smoke it. There are vaporizers which greatly reduce any health risk but they are difficult and expensive to get because they are illegal.Marijuana is a relaxing and enlightening drug, it's also an excellent plant with many practical uses. You can make paper, clothes, rope and medicine from it. Why ban it? [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Jon G. on April 06, 2001 at 13:14:48 PT: Vancover So, Is weed legal to smoke in Vancover? [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by sparkey on February 01, 2001 at 10:18:26 PT: cannabis wonder drug How many times do you hear in the news that someone over dosed on pot.How many times do you hear about some one going balistic beating thier wife or children on pot.I think the only problem with pot is not enough people smoke it. Have a great day. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by skacolipse on May 05, 2000 at 17:27:42 PT help I want to support the millian man marijuana march but I cant find anything on it ... can you help?? [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Justin Salter on March 01, 2000 at 12:14:58 PT: Hemp BC I think that this is a bunch off bull XXXX they should not have the right to restrict what we do even if they say in is illegal.What I mean is that weed grows wild in some places in B.C and their is so much of it that people just smoke it right out un the open , but with the Cannibus Cafe people smoke in the building . There is nothing that the government can do . It is only a matter of time before Weed is completly legal. So I will be one of the first people to come back through the doors when it opens agian! With that I will leave it at that! If you want to talk my address is SAlter187 Yahoo.com I don't want nobody how thinks that weed is bad for you. It's the Best thing in the world!!!!!1 http://Salter187 Yahoo.com [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on June 19, 1999 at 21:34:26 PT A Real Shame! Yes Kelsey, It is always sad when you witness such a great place close. I hope they don't quit but shake themselves off and do something else that is good.Thanks for your comment and I agree with you it is a real shame!Peace, FoM! [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Kesley Cook on June 19, 1999 at 19:07:52 PT cafe closed w/ Hemp BC I planned one day to take a trip to Vancover simply because of the freedom & tolerence for cannabis users there. There is no reason for these places to be closed down.I think It would have been the coolest tourest attraction. Peace, Kesley C. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: