Store Could Be One Smokin' Joint!

[boulder]

Source: Edmonton Sun

 

Pot shops where smokers could buy and toke marijuana might be set up in major Canadian cities within six months, says a cannabis advocate in Vancouver.

 

"We're trying to open a marijuana-selling operation in the city, and the reason for that is that there's so many people from out of town who come to Vancouver and there isn't a respectable retail outlet to send an out-of-towner to," said Marc Emery, president of the Marijuana Party of B.C.

 

"We end up having to send them to the sleazy part of the downtown east side to buy from all the crack, heroin and pot dealers, and people who sell anything illegal. It's always a discouraging experience to send them there.

 

"We want to open up something for these visitors that's much more respectable and has a warm, safe environment, where they know what they're getting and they're with other pot smokers."

 

Emery said Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal will likely be the first Canadian cities with such shops.

 

Most observers say Canada is headed towards more relaxed pot laws after an Ontario judge threw out a possession charge against a teen in Windsor earlier this week.

 

Justice Minister Martin Cauchon says he favours decriminalizing possession of less than 30 grams of pot, and will bring in new legislation to that effect by March.

 

His comments came on the heels of a Commons committee report making the same recommendation, which would mean that possession of 30 grams of pot would result in nothing more than a fine and no criminal record.

 

But as long as possession of marijuana is illegal, Edmonton cops will continue busting people for it, said Sgt. Pete Ratcliff, president of the Edmonton Police Association.