Pubdate: Thu, 15 Oct 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: 11

FLYING HIGH OVER LOUNGE REOPENING

BuzzOn Back in Business

The buzz is back. After months of wrangling through red tape, 
Vanier's BuzzOn marijuana lounge is open for business - and this time 
the owners aim to keep it that way.

"To be honest, I didn't think we were ever going to open again," said 
co-owner Wayne Robillard, who said he poured "tens of thousands" of 
dollars into renovations to meet the criteria enforced by City of 
Ottawa building inspectors, who ordered the operation shuttered back 
in May citing building code violations.

The lounge, which allows clients to consume marijuana onsite, opened 
on April 20 and was in business about four weeks before closing its doors.

The Montreal Rd. lounge got the green light to reopen Wednesday 
following extensive renovations, including a powerful air ventilation 
system, two bathrooms, new exit doors and fireproofing.

"It cost more in renos than it did to open," said Robillard.

"Now that we have our occupancy permit, I think people will be able 
to go in there with a little bit more confidence now that they don't 
have to worry about the City shutting us down. The only thing that 
really irks me is the fact it took so long."

Robillard said the inspection process "dragged on" for months.

"Every time we would do something an inspector would come in and 
they'd come back with a bigger list. The renovations were a huge 
headache, and it took quite awhile to get it done, but more than 
anything the biggest headaches were with the City changing the 
(specifications)," he said.

"I thought they were going to drag this thing out until after 
Christmas and then try to shut us down with new Smoke-Free Ontario 
legislation. But I'm not worried about that now, because then they'd 
have to shut them down all across Ontario, and we have a lot more 
legal minds at our disposal now."

Robillard has consulted with a group of marijuana advocates in the 
GTA, where at least a dozen similar lounges operate - and profit - 
with impunity.

He doesn't expect any hassles from the City, and he doesn't 
anticipate any problems with police.

"I really do sympathize with Chief (Charles) Bordeleau, because he 
really is caught between a rock and a hard place, because I do 
believe the City is leaning on him to do something (about 
enforcement) but there's really nothing he can do," said Robillard.

"We're truly not breaking any laws, and there's nothing of any 
significance (the police) can do. I guess the worst they could do is 
come in and card everybody in the place."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom