New marijuana seed business sets up shop

A Vancouver man has launched a store-front business selling marijuana seeds over the counter and online to people across Canada and in Europe.

Dana Larsen opened the Vancouver Seed Bank on East Hastings Street in May, and isn't hiding the fact that he's breaking the law.

Larsen's store is similar to the one operated by B.C. Marijuana party Leader Marc Emery until it was shut down by Vancouver police last year at the request of the U.S. government.

Emery, who is free on bail, now faces possible extradition to the U.S. on drug and money-laundering charges.

Larsen says he believes that as long as he avoids the American market, he won't be arrested.

"By us not sending any marijuana seeds to the U.S., we're not anticipating any problems from their government because we're not breaking any of their laws.

"And I don't think we'll have any problems within Canada.We're not the first person to be selling marijuana seeds and nobody in Canada has faced problems for selling marijuana seeds within Canada for quite awhile."

Larsen says police officers have come into his store while on patrol, and didn't appear to have any problem with his merchandise.

However Simon Fraser University criminologist Neil Boyd says Larsen is taking a big risk.

"Most people who sell marijuana seeds aren't going to advertise publicly that they sell marijuana or marijuana seeds.He's playing a game of poker with those with the power to enforce the law."