A man who has been ordered to stand trial on a charge of trafficking wants to open a hemp-themed shop on White Rock’s Marine Drive.
But the application for a business licence by Victor “Randy” Caine has received a cool response from city staff.
“Staff do not anticipate any budgetary risk management considerations for the city. Approval of the business license, however, could lead to security and safety risks for residents above the proposed business site related to potential for petty crimes and break-ins,” Paul Stanton, the city’s director of planning and development services, notes in a May 7 staff report.
Caine applied for a licence in December to open Hempyz Gifts and Novelties at 14967 Marine Dr., across from White Rock Museum & Archives. According to information from hempyz.com that was to be presented to council Monday night (after Peace Arch News deadline), the store was advertising to open in White Rock May 4 and offer everything from organic clothing to purses with built-in, smell-proof compartments and “novelty items for your favourite stoner.”
Caine is executive director of the Langley Medical Marijuana Dispensary. He ran for a seat on Langley City council in the fall election.
Last October, Caine was charged with possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, in connection with a police raid at the dispensary last July. Officers reported seizing more than eight pounds of marijuana and assorted marijuana products in the raid.
According to online records, Caine last appeared in Surrey Provincial Court on March 19, and has been ordered to stand trial.
In his May 7 report, Stanton notes concerns about the business opening on Marine Drive have been heard both from neighbours and White Rock RCMP.