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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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Canada: 'Reverend' Plans To Open Joint For Joints
Katie Chalmers Winnipeg Sun (CN MB)
Saturday 26 Jan 2002 Catch A Buzz At Cafe A Winnipeg pot advocate is eager to get things rolling. Chris Dalman, who describes himself as a reverend with the Church of the Universe, believes marijuana use brings enlightenment. He has high hopes of opening a cafe where fellow church members can smoke a joint. The 32-year-old hopes to see patrons smoking pot in his proposed "sanctuary for true believers of cannabis" as early as this spring. "The casual, recreational user will not be allowed to smoke marijuana in the cafe unless they become a member and prove they are devout and their use of marijuana is a true sacrament in their life," said Dalman, adding the Church of the Universe has 12 clergy members. "The cafe is a mission of the church, rather than a place to hang out and smoke dope." Staff Sgt. John Speirs, of the Winnipeg police drug unit, said he "can't see an organization or business running something like that." COMPLY WITH LAWS "You can't just say, I'm going to do something. Is has to be in compliance with the laws," Speirs said with a chuckle. "There's nothing I'm aware of in (The Controlled Drugs and Substance Act) that permits people to be in possession of an illegal substance for religious reasons." The proposed name of the cafe is a mouthful -- the Cannabis Devout Mission of Humble Hemp Co. Cafe Sanctuary Meeting Place. Dalman, who owns a hemp store at The Forks, said the cafe's menu would include food that patrons can "catch a buzz" from. There would be a separate room where they can enjoy a joint -- "a room sanctioned for the chapel use." Dalman said he'll screen patrons before admitting them to the cafe. To score some dope, patrons must view the plant as a sacrament in their life or a medicinal need, Dalman said. He hopes to have a registered nurse on staff to make the health assessments. Dalman is looking at locations on Corydon Avenue, in Osborne Village and downtown. He's hopeful his plans won't go up in smoke but doesn't expect the opening of an illegal cannabis cafe to go unnoticed. "Any issue that has basically revolutionary implications, there is always a lot of controversy and concern from different levels of community leaders, religiously and politically," said Dalman. Geoff Hughes, of the Manitoba Compassion Club, wants a part in the cannabis cafe project. The 19-member club dispenses marijuana -- without government approval -- to people with serious illnesses. Hughes is hoping the proposed cafe will become the group's "clubhouse." "We're not waiting for the laws to change, we're pressing ahead," said Hughes. Last weekend, a marijuana teahouse in Vancouver was closed down two months after its grand opening. Police arrested two people involved in running the teahouse -- marketed as a place for medicinal pot users certified by Health Canada. Hughes said the Vancouver closure will not deter pot advocates from fighting for the proposed cannabis cafe. He said he's willing to get arrested and fight in court for his cause. "It's not going to stop us," he said. "To challenge the law sometimes is to break it."
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