Pubdate: Sun, 30 Nov 2003
Source: Montreal Gazette (CN QU)
Copyright: 2003 The Gazette, a division of Southam Inc.
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/montreal/montrealgazette/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/274
Author: Ricky Leong

PAIR ARRESTED AT NEW POT CAFE

Cops Welcomed. 'They're Just Doing Their Job,' Owner Says

Only a few hours after a new pot cafe called Chez Marijane opened on Rachel 
St. E. yesterday, Montreal police arrested two patrons for marijuana 
possession.

"We will continue (surprise visits) as long as that cafe encourages or 
allows people to bring their own marijuana and consume it on the spot," 
said Commander Paul Chablo of Station 38, only a block east of Chez Marijane.

Chablo said the police won't be overly zealous in their application of the 
law, but they have to respond to any complaints they receive about the cafe.

"You don't want to kill a mosquito with a hammer," he said.

"When we walk in, whoever has narcotics in their possession are the ones 
who get arrested."

The cafe's owners - members of the Bloc Pot Party, which advocates the 
decriminalization of marijuana - said they welcomed the police officers.

"I'm the one that opened the door," Bloc Pot leader Hugo St-Onge said. 
"They're just doing their job, and we're doing ours."

The owners will allow patrons to smoke their own pot, but none will be sold 
and trafficking among patrons won't be tolerated, St-Onge said.

He said he hoped the opening of his cafe - really a store-front political 
office that will barely accommodate 50 standees - will encourage discussion 
of the laws on marijuana.

The illegal status of pot means it's more difficult to buy cigarettes in a 
store than marijuana from a drug dealer.

"The only identification they need (to buy pot) is a $10 bill.

"We want people to be able to get help and learn about the difference 
between abusive consumption and responsible consumption," St-Onge added.

He also said the more patrons get arrested, the more chances his party will 
have to argue in favour of decriminalization.

The Bloc Pot didn't intend Chez Marijane to be only a haven for marijuana 
users. Patrons will have to pay for a membership in the Bloc Pot to smoke 
marijuana and participate in the political discussions and conferences to 
be held there.

The cost of a full membership will range between $5 and $50, while 
short-term membership will cost $1 a day.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens