Pubdate: Sun, 03 May 2015
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2015 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact: http://www.ottawasun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://www.ottawasun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329
Author: Aedan Helmer
Page: 8

WHAT'S THE BUZZ?

Vapour lounge draws activists, medical marijuana users - and opinions

The clock strikes 4:20 p.m. on a sun-baked Friday afternoon in the
capital, and the patrons of Ottawa's most buzzworthy new establishment
take notice.

A lighter flickers into service as a heavily-tattooed gentleman, idly
flipping through a magazine, sparks a half-spent roach hanging from
his lips.

A vaporizer whirs to life at nearby table while three puffy-eyed dudes
await their turn to take a pull. The unmistakable aroma of bongwater
hangs heavy in the air.

It's high time here at Vanier's BuzzOn-the city's first so-called
vapour lounge - for a small congregation of Ottawa pot enthusiasts to
either engage in civil disobedience, heal what ails them with
prescription medication, or knowingly break the law, depending who you
ask.

"I don't think there's any legal risk," said local pot activist
David-George Oldham, who said the BuzzOn lounge "is in full
compliance" with current Canadian law. He adds: Mayor Jim Watson was
"misinformed" when he called for police to shut the place down and
start handing out charges.

"Right now, this is just a place where medical patients can come to a
judgment-free environment to use their medicine safely," said Oldham.

Police showed up to chat briefly with BuzzOn partner Wayne Robillard,
and have said they're keeping an eye on the place.

But while police have yet to lay a single charge, Ottawa Police
Association president Matt Skof said the force's frontline officers
are in a tough spot between politics, the public and the law.

"(Police) are being put in a difficult position if we're in contrary
to the public's expression of beliefs as to whether marijuana is even
illegal anymore," said Skof, who likened the Mayor's call for police
enforcement to something of a political hot potato.

"When it comes to marijuana in cases like this, when it becomes
socially and politically-charged, we turn back to the public," said
Skof.

"If it's being tasked to officers to enforce the law, when it's clear
this has become a public debate and a social issue, then we're going
to need some clear direction from both the (OPS) executive and some
very strong support from our politicians."

Police "have to be wary," said Chris Goodwin, manager of Toronto's
bustling Vapor Central.

"Of course there's some civil disobedience, and of course there's a
grey area, but there are a lot of medical marijuana users that need
this medicine and we're providing a safe place."

Goodwin estimates an average of nearly 500 patrons walk through his
doors each day - 12,000 unique visits per month - and he's had no
issues with Toronto police. And he's not exactly hidden away, either,
with his trendy "smoke-easy" opening in 2007 near the corner of Yonge
and Bloor.

"Ten years ago, vapour lounges opened with a lot more scrutiny than
they do today," said Goodwin. "When I opened the Up in Smoke cafe in
Hamilton (in 2006) it got raided within the first week. But vape
lounges have opened up pretty quietly lately. And we don't really see
(police) presence any more. Ignoring us is the tactic they use now."

And while BuzzOn might just be a blip on the local constabulary's
radar, in Vancouver, police have already turned their attention to
bigger, more sophisticated, and more lucrative enterprises.

Police there have already begun their crackdown on an estimated 80
marijuana dispensaries cropping up across the city, and while most are
strictly in the business of selling bud, those that allow on-site
consumption "will show up on our radar," said Vancouver Police
Department spokesman Sgt. Randy Fincham, adding the VPD takes a
"priority-based" approach to drug enforcement.

"Our response would be proportionate to what's taking place (inside),"
he said.

Goodwin, himself the subject of three police raids, was skeptical
police enforcement would achieve the result Watson desires.

"Even if BuzzOn gets raided and they arrest everybody, all they have
to do is just reopen the place, and as long as the owners are okay
with a bit of activism, maybe a few court appearances over the next
year-and-a-half or so, then more o f t e n t h a n not, charges end up
getting dismissed, or they get probation or a small fine.

"So then it comes back to Ottawa and the city police. That raid, and
the court process and the disclosure is going to cost a lot of money
and resources. Do they want to go through it all again only to have
dismissals and probation?"

Oldham hopes it doesn't come to that.

"This is a concept that can do a lot of good, and any parties that
might be misinformed, the best thing would be for everyone to come to
the table and have the best options come out," he said. "I would hope
we can coexist. I want to get along."

- --------------------------------

[sidebar]

Word on the street

What people are saying about Buzzon:

"I know the Mayor has made comments suggesting this is strictly a
police matter, but (police) take our direction quite keenly from the
public as well, and I don't think anyone can deny that marijuana use
has been front and centre (in the debate) over whether or not it's a
criminal offence any longer."

- -Matt Skof, Ottawa Police Association

"I think it's the last thing the city needs. It's certainly the last
thing that part of Vanier needs... I fully expect the police to
enforce the laws if laws are being broken. If people are consuming and
smoking and exchanging illegal products then police should lay charges."

- - Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson

"I see (BuzzOn) in full compliance with current Canadian law, as
asking (patrons) for a medical licence would be violating (privacy)
law. Right now this is just a place where medical patients can come to
a judgment-free environment to use their medicine safely."

- - David-George Oldham, cannabis consultant/activist

"Ten years ago, vapour lounges opened with a lot more scrutiny than
they do today... They've been opening up pretty quietly lately (in the
GTA). In the first year or two, cops made their presence known a lot
more, but we don't really see their presence any more. Ignoring us is
the tactic they use now."

- - Chris Goodwin, Vapor Central, Toronto
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MAP posted-by: Matt