"Prince of Pot" Marc Emery won't know for a while if he'll be able to keep three of his businesses in Vancouver.

The marijuana activist appeared before a city hall business licence hearing today after city staff turned down applications for the 420 Convenience Store, Cannabis Culture Magazine and Marc Emery's Cannabis Culture Headquarters - all in the 300 block of West Hastings Street.

The city's chief licence inspector, Barbara Windsor, said she wouldn't grant Emery's company, Avalon Sunsplash Ltd., the licences because of his 2004 trafficking conviction in Saskatchewan and police reports of cannabis use in the building.

Outside city hall, Emery told reporters that his businesses are legitimate but are being unfairly targetted because his name is attached to them.

Eight other witnesses were scheduled to speak before the panel, chaired by Coun. Geoff Meggs, but cross-examination of Windsor by lawyer Kirk Tousaw took up the entire session.

The matter won't be resumed until July 21 due to scheduling conflicts.

Matt Kieltyka reports for Vancouver 24 hours.