Pubdate: Thu, 20 Apr 2017
Source: Vue Weekly (CN AB)
Copyright: 2017, Vue Weekly.
Contact:  http://www.vueweekly.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2918
Author: Stephan Boissonneault
Page: 11

CREATING COMMUNITY ONE PUFF AT A TIME

Cannabis Clubs of Canada to be community focused hub for marijuana
users

Since the Liberal's announcement of marijuana legislation, the media
has been in an absolute frenzy, attempting to answer the question of
what regulation in Canada will look like. In this pot-centric media
storm no one has really approached the question of how recreational
use will happen in a community setting.

Enter the Cannabis Clubs of Canada. Much like Spain's underground
cannabis club scene, these collective hubs will allow people to
consume marijuana on club property without worry.

The local company began after co-founder Aman Samra ventured to
Barcelona, Spain last year and saw first hand how these clubs
operated, specifically with a club called El Circulo.

"When I got back to Canada, the government had just released its
regulated task force document, so the dream finally seemed like a
possibility," Samra says.

Samra then drew up a business plan for Cannabis Clubs with his
long-time friend Irfan Keshwani.

"Alternatively, we want to create a safe area to use cannabis and get
rid of the stigma of smoking pot. It's just another way for people to
connect and let creativity flow," says Keshwani.

"You will still be able to come in and buy craft weeds, but the focus
will be more on creating the environment to smoke it," Samra adds.

Even though these clubs are not in existence yet, the two cannabis
entrepreneurs already have plans to situate them not only in Edmonton,
but throughout Canada.

"We are creating a brand where people can go province to province, or
city to city, and see one of our clubs and know it's a place to
congregate and use cannabis," Keshwani says.

Each club will have a unique spin and look depending on where it's
based within a community. Keshwani and Samra have many different
visions and concepts for different clubs, but right now that's all
they are until they get the go ahead from the city.

"We're just waiting for word to come down the pipeline. The city has
been a little reluctant to jump on the ball, but we're confident they
will soon," Samra says.

"We're hoping by the end of the year that we will be open. It's a
weird time. The city knows it can't be reactive and they have to be a
little bit proactive," Keshwani adds.

The two hope their clubs will combat the negativity around social
cannabis use.

"Right now it's a couple people hiding while smoking a joint behind a
bar or a park or something. That can have a very negative impact on
the community and the people who don't want to be a part of it. So
communities realistically need these places," Samra says.

"We definitely need to be conscious of the people who also don't want
to be a part of cannabis culture. We don't want to be in their face,"
Keshwani adds.

It's good to see Keshwani and Samra have done their research and are
collectively thinking about the non-user community. Right now there
are too many hookah bars or vape lounges that give off that
unwelcoming vibe to people uninterested or just trying to jump into
the culture.

"If we don't think about everyone, then there will be chaos between
users and non-users," Samra says. "Even though we are dealing with
weed meant for recreation, we have to look at this responsibly."
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MAP posted-by: Matt