Pubdate: Wed, 15 Apr 2015
Source: Guelph Mercury (CN ON)
Copyright: 2015 Metroland Media Group Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.guelphmercury.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1418
Author: Troy Bridgeman
Page: A1

'I'M NOT SOME WEIRD GUY,' POT LOUNGE OWNER SAYS

Business caters to medical marijuana users: enjoy coffee, rent a
bong

GUELPH - The owner of a new marijuana lounge in downtown Guelph says
"the motivation for the idea is purely selfish."

"It is to have a place for myself and people like me, who have medical
prescriptions, to hang out and smoke marijuana," said Anthony (Tony)
Veder, owner of the DLR 420 Vapour Lounge on Macdonell Street.

Veder made the comments in an interview just after the opening of the
operation.

He said he's been reluctant to talk to reporters about his latest
venture but wanted to clarify his motives and quell any rumours.

Veder said he isn't a pot legalization crusader or looking for
attention, but is delighted with the response from neighbouring
businesses and the wider community.

"I haven't heard anything negative and I was expecting to hear
negative," said Veder. "The response has been very positive." He said
he even received support in a tweet from Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie.

"He basically said that he believes government shouldn't be involved
in people's personal or business lives and he wished me well," said
Veder.

"My response to him was: 'Your Worship, thank you for those
encouraging comments.'"

Guthrie confirmed he did send the tweet but expressed his hope that
only medical marijuana smokers will be using the service.

"Will I go to this establishment? No," said Guthrie. "Do I want my
kids going to this establishment? No, but as long as it is a legal
establishment and they are playing by the rules the government has no
business interfering in their right to do business."

Veder said he understands marijuana use is still a controversial issue
and that's why he is proceeding slowly and co-operatively with city
officials.

"This is a work in progress from my standpoint and also from the
standpoint of the city (of Guelph)," said Veder. "It is very important
to point out that I have been very open with the city and they have
been very helpful."

The doors opened on April 3, Good Friday, but, other than a notice
written on a piece of cardboard and posted in the window, there are no
obvious signs the location, which used to be a popular clothing
boutique, has been converted to a marijuana lounge.

Veder said he is relaunching the clothing store online with a new
marketing campaign and a new DLR clothing store in Toronto.

"That is the true love of my life," said Veder. "I am a businessman.
My family bought this building. We care about this downtown. We have
invested in this downtown.

"So, I am not some weird guy. I am like every other merchant down
here."

The windows of the lounge remain papered over until Veder comes to an
understanding with the municipality's bylaw department about signs and
visibility.

"I can't really do anything with my windows right now because of
health departments and different regulations," he said. "So, I don't
know how much I have to cover. As policies develop we are going to be
part of the development of those policies."

Veder has styled the lounge around the coffee-house model popular in
Holland where he lived for a while and has family.

"That is where I learned about the coffee shop culture," Veder said.
"That it is OK to relax, have a cup of coffee and smoke marijuana with
your friends. There is nothing wrong with it."

The lounge is open to anyone over the age of 18 with a prescription to
smoke medical marijuana but Veder acknowledges he has no authority to
ask people about their private medical information and therefore he
does not ask to see their prescriptions.

Members bring their own marijuana.

Veder rents bongs and vaporizers to patrons to use during their visit
and plans to sell pot smoking equipment. However, he will not be
selling marijuana nor will he allow it to be sold on the premises.
There is also no alcohol permitted.

"This is a private club," he said. "There is a $5 daily membership fee
that must be paid. There are no tobacco products allowed including
e-cigarettes. There is no mooching, no selling and a $2 fee if you
bring food in from other places. Eventually, we will offer video games
in the green room and have tons of board games to play like a board
games cafe, vapour lounge."

Veder said opening a lounge like this has been a dream of his for
nearly 20 years and he believes it will eventually attract many other
pot smokers in the community.

"It's actually been slow," he said. "It's all so new for everybody
they don't know what to do. I think everybody is scared. They don't
know how to take it. They have been sent underground for so many
years. When you're taught how to hide, you hide."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt