Pubdate: Mon, 25 Jul 2016
Source: Windsor Star (CN ON)
Page: A5
Copyright: 2016 The Windsor Star
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/501
Author: Julie Kotsis

VAPING LOUNGE HOSTS FUNDRAISER

Cannabis Rights Coalition Seeks to Raise $1 Million

It was a full house Saturday at Vapelated Vapor Lounge as supporters 
gathered to raise money to ensure the doors stay open.

Lounge owner Leo Lucier said the night's proceeds will go to the 
Cannabis Rights Coalition, which has been raising money to pay for 
lawyers who are working to ensure "our right to exist."

The group hopes to raise $1 million and Lucier said they are nearing 
their goal.

Lucier, who opened his Chatham Street East venue earlier this year, 
said the fight is against the federal government and its lack of 
legislation surrounding "reasonable access" to marijuana by medically 
approved patients.

Specifically, the group is hoping to pressure the government to allow 
patients or caregivers to produce their own marijuana. They are also 
advocating for the government to legalize dispensaries that would 
allow medical marijuana licence holders to use their debit or credit 
cards to make purchases from the machine.

Saturday's fundraiser began at 4:20 p.m. Four-20 is a term that 
refers to smoking marijuana and celebrations surrounding cannabis on April 20.

Revellers were treated to live entertainment, a silent auction and raffles.

"You know, everybody knows we're a harmless society," Lucier said. 
"It's remarkable, we've been open four or five months and there 
hasn't been one police issue with our customers," he said. "We 
respect the community. We close before the bars do."

But Lucier's business may be living on borrowed time.

He said he expected to be shut down July 1 by the provincial 
government under the Smoke Free Ontario Act but "nobody's knocked on my door."

The Act prohibits smoking in all enclosed workplaces and public places.

"We're winging it," Lucier said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom