Pubdate: Thu, 28 Apr 2016
Source: Beach-Riverdale Mirror (CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 The Beach-Riverdale Mirror
Contact: http://www.insidetoronto.com/services/contactus/letters
Website: http://www.insidetoronto.com/news/Beach
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2221
Author: Joanna Lavoie
Note: with files from Hilary Caton and David Nickle

MARIJUANA SHOPS CROP UP ON THE DANFORTH LIKE ... WEEDS

Cannabis dispensaries are - for lack of a better way to put it -
springing up like weeds near Danforth and Chester avenues.

In the last six months, four marijuana retailers have opened their
doors along the strip.

Weeds Glass and Gifts at 341 Danforth Ave. was the first. Located in a
former Pan-Asian eatery that now has a large green marijuana leaf
fixture in the front window, the Vancouver-based company has been
doing steady business.

"Our first location in Toronto is here at Danforth and Chester," said
store manager, Michael. "We're now in the process of opening our sixth
location (in Toronto). We're projecting 20 of them across the GTA in
the next year."

Weeds has also recently opened a location in the Beach at 2211 Queen
St. E.

Michael, who declined to give his last name, said the reaction from
the community to Weeds opening up in the area has "overall been very
welcoming".

"You get the odd hater, but it's because they don't understand," he
said. "All of the people that come in here have some sort of medical
ailment they're trying to treat and they're using cannabis as an
alternative form of medication."

Like the majority of cannabis dispensaries, Weeds "members" must be 19
and older and present a medical note or be currently using a
prescribed narcotic.

"We have enough knowledge with our staff to offer them an
alternative," Michael said, adding they offer cannabis in edible,
capsule, and flower form.

About three months ago, Medical Club set up shop next door to Weeds in
what used to be a tea shop. This dispensary has a different and a much
more discreet feel with heavy grey privacy curtains drawn and a sign
on the door that reads "members only."

A reporter tried to speak with the store's manager, but the man who
cracked open the door during a recent visit suggested a visit to their
website to learn more. The Mirror reached out for comment via email
but did not hear back.

Three doors down, S.W.E.D. Society is preparing to open its doors in a
former accessory store. When The Mirror dropped by recently, workers
were busy laying flooring for the new dispensary.

In an email, Adam Blender, S.W.E.D. Society's director of operations,
said they decided to open up in the Danforth/Chester area because they
"found a lot of people were very welcoming to the idea of a medicinal
marijuana dispensary" in their neighbourhood.

"The diversity found within the neighbourhood was also a leading
factor, especially when considering the needs of some of the
residents," he wrote.

"We have had nothing but positive feedback from the community. They
see we are doing things properly and for the right reasons. They see
we are there to help those in need by offering quality products at an
affordable price."

At this dispensary, those wishing to purchase cannabis must be at
least 19 years of age with valid identification and have a doctor's
prescription for cannabis or medication on hand prescribed by a
physician. Blender said this medication must be valid and it must be
known that cannabis has the ability to combat whatever disease,
ailment, or illness it was prescribed for.

S.W.E.D. Society said it also sells marijuana to those with a
federally issued card from Health Canada stating they're allowed to
use marijuana for medicinal purposes.

"We are extremely strict on our policies and we do not make exceptions
for anyone," Blender said.

To the east, across from Chester subway station, is Green Rhino
Medicinal Cannabis, which opened its doors just over a month ago in a
former women's clothing and accessories shop. This dispensary has a
much more spa-like feel with light wood and orange accents, and a
large, high desk along one wall located in a private members' area
separated by a velvet rope. Cool house music beats permeate the air.

Like at Weeds, several members filled the shop on a recent Friday
morning, some of whom used a large clinical-looking magnifying glass
to inspect their purchase. The Mirror made two attempts to speak with
Green Rhino's management, but never heard back.

While these new "green" retailers seem to be doing brisk business,
some of those who live, work and operate businesses in the area aren't
too sure what to make of them.

The legalization and regulation of marijuana has not yet been adopted
by any level of government in Ontario, therefore these dispensaries
are technically operating illegally, according to the City of Toronto,
Toronto police, and Health Canada.

There are only a select few dispensaries authorized by Health Canada
to distribute marijuana by mail to those with verified prescriptions.
According to Health Canada's website, it states neither Health Canada
nor the Marijuana for Medical Purposes Regulations (MMPR) authorizes
licensed producers to provide marijuana for medical purposes through a
storefront.

Life-long area resident Natalie Hosmer said she's "disappointed" with
the number of weed shops that have popped up along the Danforth.

"I'm concerned that it takes away from the vibrant neighbourhood we
have," she said. "I'm concerned about the safety of the neighbourhood
as well as the fact that visually seeing so many of these shops makes
the neighbourhood less attractive for residents and visitors."

Mother of three Mara Cole, who has lived in the area for 26 years, is
also concerned about the marijuana dispensaries.

"If a business is operating illegally we need to shut it down," she
said. "Once it's legal, it's fair game."

Cole said she fine with cannabis shops operating legally. "It draws to
the neighbourhood an element of people that don't belong in the
neighbourhood or are using the drug illicitly," she said. "If they're
legal, they're better monitored, more regulated and more enforced."

Keiley Abbat both lives and runs a business in the area and like many
has no problem with medical marijuana dispensaries as long as they're
above board and legal. Her concern is with the number of weed shops in
a three-block radius.

"While nobody seems to take issue with legally dispensed weed for
medical reasons, most find that the recent 'crop' that has suddenly
opened are too many for such a small area," she said. "Many are very
concerned about what types of people will start making the Danforth a
destination."

Abbat said the Danforth used to be a "vibrant shopping experience for
neighbours and people from outside the community," but with high rents
more and more retailers are leaving the strip, making way for
corporate stores and weed shops.

"I wouldn't want the perception of the Danforth to be a place for
people to just come and buy weed, and retail things you can find at
any mall," she said.

The Danforth Business Improvement Area (BIA) has received several
emails from residents as well as members "remarking on the
proliferation" of cannabis dispensaries in the area, said BIA chair
Albert Stortchak.

He said this led his organization to do some research and speak with
the local MP, city councillors and the police.

"From our understanding, medical marijuana is legal, but the only way
to get it is through the mail. These places fall into a grey zone,"
said Stortchak, who has owned Der Dietemann Antiques at Broadview and
Danforth avenues for 26 years. "Many are asking if the BIA can do
something, but we can't control who the landlords rent to. We're not
the only neighbourhood that is experiencing this."

He said the Danforth BIA has worked hard to make the retail strip an
appealing place for shoppers.

"Our concern is the number and the concentration of them as opposed to
being anti-weed," Stortchak said, urging anyone with concerns or
complaints to make their voices heard.

Ward 30 Toronto-Danforth Councillor Paula Fletcher said her office has
received a number of call and emails from constituents about the weeds
shops along the Danforth.

"It's unbelievable. They're springing up like weeds," she said during
a recent interview, adding she's in talks with the city's legal
department about how to address this issue. "This is a de-regulated
marijuana market we're in and it's not just a little city issue."

Fletcher said it's up to the federal government to get its act
together and regulate the sale and distribute of medical marijuana.

"It's the wild, wild west on the Danforth and all we can do is try to
figure out a way so they can't open up so close to each other," she
said.

"City hall shouldn't have to do all of this work."

In an April 22 letter to Mayor John Tory, Fletcher and her Ward 29
counterpart, Mary Fragedakis, are calling on the mayor to consider
what the city can do regarding what they're calling the "over
concentration" of marijuana-related retailers in one
neighbourhood.

- - with files from Hilary Caton and David Nickle
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jo-D