Jacob Redmond
Well-Known Member
BuzzOn, the city's first cannabis vapour lounge, says it has been temporarily shut down by city officials and fined $3,000 in what it describes as a "strong-arm tactic."
The city says the Vanier business is violating the building code.
In a note on its Facebook page Friday evening, BuzzOn wrote that "bylaw entered with police and a cease and desist order today to prevent us from being open for the weekend."
BuzzOn said the city wants the lounge rezoned as a restaurant, which would limit capacity and create stricter operating rules. It claims the city moved up a May 25 deadline to Friday.
"Since we do not prepare food this is obviously a strong-arm tactic to shut us down," the note says. "Our lawyers were negotiating with the city and we were to have until May 25th to comply."
It also said it was fined $3,000.
The city says the action was about safety issues.
"This action is solely related to statutory matters pertaining to Building Code compliance from a safety perspective," a city spokeswoman said in a statement. "As in all such cases, the Owner is encouraged to take appropriate steps to ensure that the space meets the requirements under the Code."
The BuzzOn note says it had met a city demand by removing an interior wall at the lounge.
Owner Wayne Robillard wasn't immediately available for comment Saturday, but in a Facebook post called the closure "only a temporary setback" and promised the lounge would reopen soon.
BuzzOn opened on April 20 on Montreal Road and drew 25 customers a day during its weeklong "soft launch." It also had visits from the police.
Mayor Jim Watson has expressed his disapproval of the business, saying last month he wanted the lounge shut down.
Robillard has said what he is doing is legal: providing a venue for marijuana users, many of whom hold medical marijuana licences supplied by their doctors, to consume the drug.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: City shutters Ottawa cannabis lounge ? owner decries ?strong-arm tactic? | Ottawa Citizen
Author: Michael Woods
Contact: How to get in touch with the Ottawa Citizen | Ottawa Citizen
Photo Credit: Julie Oliver / Ottawa Citizen
Website: Ottawa Citizen
The city says the Vanier business is violating the building code.
In a note on its Facebook page Friday evening, BuzzOn wrote that "bylaw entered with police and a cease and desist order today to prevent us from being open for the weekend."
BuzzOn said the city wants the lounge rezoned as a restaurant, which would limit capacity and create stricter operating rules. It claims the city moved up a May 25 deadline to Friday.
"Since we do not prepare food this is obviously a strong-arm tactic to shut us down," the note says. "Our lawyers were negotiating with the city and we were to have until May 25th to comply."
It also said it was fined $3,000.
The city says the action was about safety issues.
"This action is solely related to statutory matters pertaining to Building Code compliance from a safety perspective," a city spokeswoman said in a statement. "As in all such cases, the Owner is encouraged to take appropriate steps to ensure that the space meets the requirements under the Code."
The BuzzOn note says it had met a city demand by removing an interior wall at the lounge.
Owner Wayne Robillard wasn't immediately available for comment Saturday, but in a Facebook post called the closure "only a temporary setback" and promised the lounge would reopen soon.
BuzzOn opened on April 20 on Montreal Road and drew 25 customers a day during its weeklong "soft launch." It also had visits from the police.
Mayor Jim Watson has expressed his disapproval of the business, saying last month he wanted the lounge shut down.
Robillard has said what he is doing is legal: providing a venue for marijuana users, many of whom hold medical marijuana licences supplied by their doctors, to consume the drug.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: City shutters Ottawa cannabis lounge ? owner decries ?strong-arm tactic? | Ottawa Citizen
Author: Michael Woods
Contact: How to get in touch with the Ottawa Citizen | Ottawa Citizen
Photo Credit: Julie Oliver / Ottawa Citizen
Website: Ottawa Citizen
