Pubdate: Sat, 08 Feb 2014
Source: Winnipeg Sun (CN MB)
Copyright: 2014 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact:  http://www.winnipegsun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/503
Author: Joyanne Pursaga

DUDE, WHERE'S MY RESPECT?

A Crackdown by the Man Is Totally Harshing Local Head Shop Owners' Buzz

After paying taxes and operating in the city for years, owners of 
local head shops claim a police crackdown is unfairly weeding them out.

"I'm a legitimate business. I have been here for 12 years in the 
community," said Jeremy Loewen, owner of Hemp Haven.

That's why Loewen said he felt shocked to be arrested and charged 
with possessing goods obtained by crime and selling an instrument for 
illegal drug use on Jan. 27.

Loewen said the charges are linked to his sale of a water pipe, a 
product which can be used to smoke marijuana.

Loewen said the pipe in question, which he has since pulled from his 
shelves, can also be used to smoke flavoured tobacco and other legal 
drugs or by medicinal marijuana users.

The business owner reopened his store Friday after an eight-day 
closure, during which he lost $2,000 each day. Three staff also quit 
during that period, convincing him his business is in jeopardy.

He claims that during his arrest and a previous warning visit, police 
refused to list which items he legally bought but can't legally sell, 
preventing him from following the law.

"The governments know what we're doing and have been receiving my 
taxes for years. In that sense, they are my co-conspirators," said Loewen.

Police also raided The Joint three weeks ago. Staff of that store 
declined comment.

The apparent crackdown convinced one store owner to close his 
well-known Winnipeg shop, which includes a smoking-related section.

Roman Panchyshyn, owner of the Wild Planet, has put his building up for sale.

"After 34 years in the business, I don't want to end my career in a 
court room," said Panchyshyn.

Panchyshyn believes police should clearly advise affected stores 
which products they can and cannot legally sale and impose sale 
conditions instead of laying charges.

But Winnipeg Police Service says it only investigated head shops 
after safety complaints from citizens across Winnipeg.

"It has to do with the area residents not feeling safe about having 
those establishments in their neighbourhoods," said WPS Deputy Chief 
Dave Thorne, noting some affected businesses are near schools.

In a press release, police later claimed officers haven't demanded 
the closure of any businesses or engaged in "widespread raids." 
Officers began visiting head shops last spring to work out complaints 
without legal action, the release states.

The chair of Winnipeg's police board said he'll seek city staff 
advice on zoning conditions to prevent new head shops from being 
placed near schools to address constituents' concerns.

"I don't want them near school zones. If there's a way we can control 
that through planning ... I think we should look at it," said Coun. 
Scott Fielding (St. James-Brooklands).

Fielding didn't commit to raise a motion to that effect.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom