Pubdate: Tue, 19 May 2015
Source: StarPhoenix, The (CN SN)
Copyright: 2015 The StarPhoenix
Contact: http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/400
Author: Sean Trembath
Page: A4

DREAM OF MARIJUANA LOUNGE GOES UP IN SMOKE

A collection of Volcano vaporizers were fired up, filling plastic 
bags with THC-laden gulps of air. Patrons passed the bags around, 
taking in the substance many call medicine. The distinctive odour of 
marijuana hung in the air.

Jeffrey Lundstrom, the owner of the Lounge in the Loft, Saskatoon's 
only marijuana vapour lounge, said goodbye to the business with one 
last "smoke-out" Saturday night.

According to Lundstrom, he received inspection notices from the 
city's community services branch, the fire department and Saskatoon 
Health Region on May 11. Rather than go through a process he felt 
would likely end up with the business' closure, he chose to end it on 
his own terms.

"For me it was easier to close the doors and wait for another 
opportunity than to jump all the city's hurdles, and go through all 
the bull----, and then potentially not being able to operate anyway," he said.

At the same time, Lundstrom admitted the business was struggling. He 
said attendance had fallen significantly three months ago after a 
media report quoted city police as saying they were investigating the business.

"As soon as a pothead hears the word 'investigation,' it doesn't 
matter what kind of pothead you are, or any kind of person for that 
matter, people just freak out," he said.

He was losing money. He had hoped to hold out until the next federal 
election, thinking a Liberal victory might bring legalization, but 
the looming inspections brought that to an end.

Saturday's event was subdued. About 15 people came through. Some were 
loyal customers, others heard about it through media reports. Despite 
earlier claims that he would let anyone in and give them all free 
pot, Lundstrom was checking IDs and prohibiting anyone under 18. 
Several teenagers were turned away.

He also only gave pot to people with medical marijuana cards. Other 
people were allowed to bring their own. Lundstrom said his earlier 
claims about free pot were a deliberate effort to build hype for the event.

He had also previously told the Star Phoenix and other media outlets 
he was ready to be arrested, but aside from a squad car cruising by 
police left the event alone.

Keegan Lumbis was in the lounge for the first time. Between hits from 
a Volcano, he said he regretted not having found out about it sooner.

"It's pretty chill actually. It's a shame it's closing, because I 
actually really like it here," he said. "I would have been here 
almost every day, probably."

Alan Holman said he had read a lot about the potential harms of 
marijuana and had never seen anything convincing him it should be illegal.

"I think there should be more places like this. Sometimes it's just a 
good thing to do," he said.

Many of the patrons, including at least one who has a medical 
marijuana card, declined to be interviewed for fear of repercussions 
in their day jobs.

Lundstrom is a fierce advocate of medical marijuana. He said pot is 
what saved him from a terrible opiates addiction he developed after 
severely injuring his back in a workplace injury.

"I believe in cannabis as a medicine, and I believe it's a medicine 
for everyone who uses it whether you have a license or not," he said.

He said he will probably try another business like this if marijuana 
is ever legalized.

Despite the business' failure, he expressed pride at having given it 
a shot despite the hazy legal situation. He said that nothing changes 
unless people stand up for what they think is right.

"Would black (people) be where they were if Rosa Parks just got up 
and went to the back of the bus?" he said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom