Pubdate: Tue, 27 May 2014
Source: Metro (Winnipeg, CN MB)
Copyright: 2014 Free Daily News Group Inc.
Contact: http://www.metronews.ca/winnipeg/contactus
Website: http://www.metronews.ca/winnipeg
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5322
Author: Shane Gibson
Page: 3

FORMER OFFICER OPENS CITY'S FIRST POT LOUNGE

Vapes on Main offers space for medicinal pot users to medicate

A former Winnipeg police officer who's been a loud advocate for the
legalization of drugs since hanging up the badge has helped open the
city's first medical marijuana lounge.

Bill Vandergraaf told Metro he wants to give those who, like him, are
prescribed marijuana for medical reasons a "peaceful place" to meet,
smoke, and exchange ideas.

"It has great medicinal value for all kinds of ailments, and it's time
to stop criminalizing people," explained the 29-year veteran of the
Winnipeg Police Service, who helped open Vapes on Main at 1402 Main
St.

"It's time to make our streets safer by ending prohibition of
marijuana and drugs."

Vandergraaf, 63, retired from policing in 2001 and said he's been
using medical marijuana since 2007 to combat depression, anxiety, and
alcoholism he developed on the force.

"We are doing nothing wrong, we are not hurting anybody else," he
said, noting his late father found relief from Lou Gehrig's disease
(ALS) with pot-laced cookies, and his daughter uses medical marijuana
to ease the pain of Takayasu's arteritis, inflammation of blood vessels.

"We are providing ourselves and our families with what we believe to
be the most effective medicine available today outside of a pharmacy."

Vapes on Main operates as a not-for profit private club. They don't
allow other drugs or alcohol on site, and do not sell marijuana or
paraphernalia.

Only those over 18 with a prescription can smoke inside, but Vapes
welcomes anyone seeking information about medical marijuana or who
wants to debate the war on drugs with a man who's seen both sides.

"We would like to educate people as well," explained Vandergraaf, who
is not worried about getting shut down by his former employer. "Police
are welcome to come in, too."
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MAP posted-by: Matt