Pubdate: Wed, 05 Feb 2014
Source: Metro (Winnipeg, CN MB)
Copyright: 2014 Free Daily News Group Inc.
Contact: http://www.metronews.ca/winnipeg/contactus
Website: http://www.metronews.ca/winnipeg
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5322
Authors: Shane Gibson and Meg Crane
Page: 2

OWNER OF HEAD SHOP CONFUSED BY CHARGES

Hemp Haven. Owner says he follows rules but has been subject to police
intimidation

The owner of a novelty store with pipes, bongs and rolling papers on
its shelves is looking for answers from police after he was arrested
in his shop last week.

Hemp Haven owner Jeremy Loewen said he follows the rules set out for
shops like his - he has a tobacco and business licence, pays his taxes
and, most importantly, never knowingly sells his wares for use with
illegal drugs - and thinks his arrest may be part of an effort to
intimidate similar city shops into shutting their doors.

"If they would have come to me with papers and said cease and desist,
then OK, no problem," said Loewen, who told Metro he was arrested
after an undercover officer bought a water pipe from an employee at
his store on Jan. 27.

Loewen also said two plainclothes officers warned him to close his
store shortly after police forced another local head shop to
temporarily shut down last year.

"I tried contacting them to find out what I can and cannot sell and I
got no reply," said Loewen. "I've been here for 12 years, and it's
never been a problem."

Loewen said he knows of at least one other similar
arrest.

The owner of another head shop, who asked not to be identified,
confirmed he closed his store recently due to police "breathing down
(his) neck."

Winnipeg police weren't able to comment Tuesday.

Loewen is charged with possession of proceeds of property obtained by
crime and selling instruments for drug use.
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MAP posted-by: Matt