on April 6, 2015
A "420 vapour lounge," where members can bring their own marijuana to smoke but not buy it, appears to be coming soon to downtown Guelph.
The property at 51 Macdonell St., which was formerly DLR Clothing Guelph, is vacant. But a cardboard handmade sign is posted in the window advertising "DLR 420 Vapour Lounge, opening soon, daily 12:00-12:00."
The "rules" are posted on another sign. It's a private lounge, paid membership is required, no tobacco products or tobacco vapour products are allowed, and guests must be at least 18 years old.
Rod Keller, the City of Guelph's general manager of operations, confirmed the city is "aware" a vapour lounge will be opening at the location soon, and that it won't be for e-cigarettes.
"There's an implication there that marijuana will be used," he said.
"We're not talking about menthol, or mints or apple smoke or anything, we're talking about marijuana. There is no bylaw that will regulate that in the city."
Multiple attempts to reach the owners of DLR were unsuccessful. It's not clear when the lounge will open.
Keller said the owners of the business have been in contact with city staff to confirm the zoning regulations and to set up their fire code compliance inspection as a "member-only club."
He said the city would only investigate the business if there was a noise or waste complaint and would leave other matters to the Guelph Police Service.
"The reasoning is that it is technically not smoking under the Ontario Smoke Free Act. That only applies to tobacco. That law is silent on the use of marijuana," Keller said.
"Further complicating this are medical regulations which allow the use of medical marijuana to be consumed," he continued.
Guelph Police Const. Mike Gatto said police have been made aware of the establishment through the city.
"We will monitor it as we would any business, ensuring that they stay within the laws," Gatto wrote in an email.
Similar lounges operate in Toronto, including on College Street.
Owner Camille Salter charges a $5 membership fee and in return provides a "peaceful" place to smoke weed.
She said The Vapor Social has been operating for about three and a half years and is actually one of the few businesses to survive in the area.
"We think it's because we're filling a need. People need safe spaces to go. They need places that aren't in their apartments, that aren't around kids, and that are quiet and out of people's faces," she said.
"We don't sell any cannabis on the premises, we're not compassion centres."
Salter said her business does sell water, pop and packaged snacks and attracts a "good mix" of both medical and recreational pot smokers.
She said the response from other businesses in the neighbourhood has been quite positive, particularly the restaurants and take-out places.
"They just love us, because these guys are ordering food all day."
https://www.facebook.com/Canadian420nurses Laurie Canadian420
The property at 51 Macdonell St., which was formerly DLR Clothing Guelph, is vacant. But a cardboard handmade sign is posted in the window advertising "DLR 420 Vapour Lounge, opening soon, daily 12:00-12:00."
The "rules" are posted on another sign. It's a private lounge, paid membership is required, no tobacco products or tobacco vapour products are allowed, and guests must be at least 18 years old.
Rod Keller, the City of Guelph's general manager of operations, confirmed the city is "aware" a vapour lounge will be opening at the location soon, and that it won't be for e-cigarettes.
"There's an implication there that marijuana will be used," he said.
"We're not talking about menthol, or mints or apple smoke or anything, we're talking about marijuana. There is no bylaw that will regulate that in the city."
Multiple attempts to reach the owners of DLR were unsuccessful. It's not clear when the lounge will open.
Keller said the owners of the business have been in contact with city staff to confirm the zoning regulations and to set up their fire code compliance inspection as a "member-only club."
He said the city would only investigate the business if there was a noise or waste complaint and would leave other matters to the Guelph Police Service.
"The reasoning is that it is technically not smoking under the Ontario Smoke Free Act. That only applies to tobacco. That law is silent on the use of marijuana," Keller said.
"Further complicating this are medical regulations which allow the use of medical marijuana to be consumed," he continued.
Guelph Police Const. Mike Gatto said police have been made aware of the establishment through the city.
"We will monitor it as we would any business, ensuring that they stay within the laws," Gatto wrote in an email.
Similar lounges operate in Toronto, including on College Street.
Owner Camille Salter charges a $5 membership fee and in return provides a "peaceful" place to smoke weed.
She said The Vapor Social has been operating for about three and a half years and is actually one of the few businesses to survive in the area.
"We think it's because we're filling a need. People need safe spaces to go. They need places that aren't in their apartments, that aren't around kids, and that are quiet and out of people's faces," she said.
"We don't sell any cannabis on the premises, we're not compassion centres."
Salter said her business does sell water, pop and packaged snacks and attracts a "good mix" of both medical and recreational pot smokers.
She said the response from other businesses in the neighbourhood has been quite positive, particularly the restaurants and take-out places.
"They just love us, because these guys are ordering food all day."
https://www.facebook.com/Canadian420nurses Laurie Canadian420
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