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Vancouver pot cafe owner released on bail for second time
Source: Canadian Press, Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC), 10-19-04

VANCOUVER (CP) -- The owner of a now-shuttered marijuana cafe was released on bail again Monday after promising not to contact her co-accused in the case.

Carol Gwilt had been in custody since Sept. 17 after allegedly breaching her previous bail conditions not to be anywhere near the presence of marijuana.

"Ms. Gwilt is grateful for being released from custody," defence lawyer Jason Gratl said Monday after a hearing in provincial court.

"She will take her battle off the streets and into the courts."

Gratl said Gwilt's previous bail conditions still apply but she did not have to post a bond for her release.

Gwilt, owner of the Da Kine Smoke and Beverage Shop, and several of her employees are charged with possession of pot for the purpose of trafficking.

Police raided Da Kine in September after news stories about the east-side cafe's open sales of marijuana and complaints from neighbourhood residents.

Investigators seized nine kilograms of marijuana, some hashish and 300 hash- or pot-laced cookies, as well as $63,000 cash. Pot was allegedly being sold to anyone who filled in a form saying it was for medicinal use, with no requirement for a doctor's letter.

Gwilt denied a police contention Da Kine was doing $30,000 a day in business.

The cafe was allowed to reopen without the pot but later closed and Gwilt surrendered her business licence.