Pubdate: Fri, 01 May 2015
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2015 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact: http://www.ottawasun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://www.ottawasun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329
Author: Jon Willing
Page: 9

BUDDING OPINIONS ON POT LOUNGE

Many Business Owners Supportive of BuzzOn

BuzzOn partner Wayne Robillard says there's community indifference, 
even support, for his new weed lounge in Vanier.

Turns out that's not the reefer talking.

Many of the immediate businesses are laid-back about their new 
neighbour as the lounge prepares for its grand opening weekend on Montreal Rd.

If anyone knows Vanier, it's MarcClairoux.He grew up in the 
community, attended Rideau High School and now owns INKsession tattoo 
and piercing, tucked in the back of a building next to the weed lounge.

"Good for this guy, taking a chance," Clairoux said Thursday. "I 
think if they get charged it would be unfortunate."

Clairoux dismissed Mayor Jim Watson's remark this week that Vanier 
doesn't need a business like a pot parlour.

"I think the city needs something like that, whether in Vanier or 
otherwise," Clairoux said.

The lounge is at the western fringe of Vanier. There's a gas bar 
across the street and a plaza where federal bureaucrats snack on 
submarine sandwiches on their lunch hour.

Behind the lounge, red low rise apartments line Mark Ave.

There are several empty businesses in the 1-km stretch of Montreal 
Rd. between North River Rd. and the Vanier Pkwy. where BuzzOn rented 
a storefront. It still has a massive overhead sign advertising "store 
for lease."

Beside it is 220 Volt Depot, an appliance and electronics store. 
Owner Michel Algal voiced discomfort when discussing BuzzOn's 
arrival, considering there are drugs coming into the building.

But there have been no problems so far, Algal said.

"Technically, it doesn't bother me at all," he said.

Virgil Gutan stood in the sun outside Howard's Pawn Shop chewing over 
the question: Is BuzzOn bad for his business?

Gutan's verdict: "As long as the smell doesn't come into my store, 
I'm OK with that."

At the restaurant Fontanelle, owner Geroges Saikali couldn't care 
less about the weed lounge planting roots a Marc Clairoux few doors down.

In Saikali's words, "I don't give a damn." The government is more of 
a nuisance than a pot den, he said.

Patricia Benoit, manager of Scottie's Spot, said City Hall is 
neglecting larger problems if it wants to target a weed lounge, which 
complements the head shop.

She zeroed in on Watson's call for police enforcement if laws are 
being broken at BuzzOn.

In fact, Benoit gave Police Chief Charles Bordeleau credit for 
waiting to learn more about the lounge before weighing in.

"I think the mayor should open his eyes a little more," Benoit said. 
"Marijuana is a plant. It's naturally grown. He should be worrying 
more about alcohol."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom