Pubdate: Wed, 05 Aug 2009
Source: Abbotsford News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2009 Abbotsford News
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/BkAJKrUD
Website: http://www.abbynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1155
Author: Rochelle Baker
Bookmark: http://mapinc.org/people/Tim+Felger

FELGER'S BUSINESS LICENCE UP IN SMOKE

The City of Abbotsford has cancelled the business licence of 
marijuana activist and political aspirant Tim Felger.

The city held a closed hearing on the issue last Monday.

Felger was arrested in May, and charged with a number of drug 
offences for allegedly trafficking pot to teenagers out of his downtown store.

Consequently, the city sent notice to Felger that the business 
licence inspector would recommend the Da Kine store at 33772 
Essendene Ave. be closed.

At the hearing , council heard the evidence gathered by police and 
from Felger himself.

According to the city's community charter, a licence may be suspended 
or cancelled for reasonable cause.

Despite losing his business licence, Felger plans to continue his 
campaign to legalize pot from the storefront.

"Closing me down will do nothing to control gangs and violence," said Felger.

A police officer at the hearing presented information regarding 
Felger's arrest and subsequent charges, which Felger said he wasn't 
permitted to contest.

"I'm not allowed to dispute their facts, even though they are 
inaccurate. They are basically sentencing me before there is a criminal trial."

Felger said he plans to keep Da Kine open as a political office. It's 
now a question of freedom of expression, he said.

"Am I now not allowed to sell books and T-shirts, even though they 
have political messages on them?" he asked.

"I don't need to raise that much revenue to pay my rent. I get a fair 
amount of political contributions."

Felger has made numerous failed runs at political office over the 
years, and hosted public smoke-ins.

The city denied Felger a permit to take part in the recent Canada Day 
parade. Participants in the event had to sign a waiver pledging 
parade exhibits would not offend those attending the family-oriented 
event and would not promote illegal activities.

Felger had planned to display signs promoting the legalization of marijuana.
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