cannabisnews.com: Puffing in Public Puffing in Public Posted by CN Staff on October 08, 2003 at 18:59:45 PT By Curtis Rush, Staff Reporter Source: Toronto Star There was little concern, lots of smoke - but no police presence - at the Hot Box Café at the lunch hour today following the Ontario Court of Appeal's decision to restore a federal narcotics law making possession of marijuana illegal. The patio out back was filled with about 15 people, most of them smoking pot, and enjoying a languorous day in the shaded, high-fenced, intimate haven, while pedestrian traffic whizzed by in front at the Kensington Market. The only concession made to the restored law came from owner Abi Roach, who on legal advice, ordered signs erected on the front door and at the back warning customers not to smoke pot inside and, should they wish to do so outside, cautioning them that they are at risk of arrest.However, there was no police presence anywhere nearby."I don't worry about the police," said Jeff Roher, 49, who was taking some tea and reading from Albert Camus while toking up."This law is a giant step backward. I was on Prozac for 10 years because of a depression. This (marijuana) gets me moving, makes me more focused," Roher said, adding he's currently unemployed but works as a musician and construction worker and "is a jack-of-all-trades."Ryan, 25, who works at a health-food store but wouldn't give his last name, said: "I don't think this is a major issue on their (police) agenda because when you smoke you're not aggressive."Trent, 20, a student at Humber, was sitting with a female friend and enjoying a puff of pot."I didn't care in the past. Why would I care now? I'm not going to smoke in front of little kids," he said. "I smoke in a private place like this. This doesn't cause any mischief."Dan Pierre, 23, a student at the University of Toronto, said he believes the law to make possession a criminal offence came because "of pressure due to our proximity to the U.S., where they're much more conservative."While the outdoor patio was teeming with smokers, only one Hot Box Café customer was inside on one of several couches, and she wasn't smoking pot. "Normally my couches would be full," said manager Rose Logan, 25, saying the ruling has initially hurt business. "People have been phoning all morning asking about the law," she added.Logan, however, said that she doesn't expect police to harass customers and doesn't expect a substantial fall in business because "the people who come here are relaxed and respectful. This is still the coolest café in Kensington Market, so they're going to come here regardless."Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)Author: Curtis Rush, Staff ReporterPublished: October 8, 2003Copyright: 2003 The Toronto Star Contact: lettertoed thestar.com Website: http://www.thestar.com/ Related Articles & Web Site:Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmBlack Tuesday for Canadian Cannaphiles http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17499.shtmlA Whiff of Freedomhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17364.shtmlBuzz Across Canada: Coffee Houses Go To Pot http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17250.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #6 posted by Jose Melendez on October 10, 2003 at 18:34:40 PT law cannot be reinstated in part here's some Canadian spirit:http://www.canada.com/search/story.aspx?ID=0A41FB8A-7C0F-4943-B85B-BF54BA9EC87F [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Virgil on October 09, 2003 at 06:07:50 PT Relevant by corruption There was an article at buzzflash yesterday by Time Magazine concerning the willful neglect of Congress to repeal a useless tax credit for people that turn coal into synthetic coal by adding tar or whatever. The process does nothing to improve the burning of the coal but is a billion dollar a year tax credit industry. It is relevant because it is blatant corruption by our fascist traitors in Congress- http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101031013-493241,00.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by goneposthole on October 09, 2003 at 04:50:12 PT Diebold voting machines What good will it do to vote? Don't vote. Boycott, Boycott, Boycott. By not voting, shouts and screams and raised fists will be heard and seen.Religion is the opiate of the masses?The right to vote is the opiate of the masses?No, freedom is the opiate of the masses; it has mass appeal and will appease the sheep. Good for grazing. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by RasAric on October 08, 2003 at 21:22:10 PT: Read to impeach It looks as though the Canadian Gov. is bowing to the U.S. Nazi Furer with little man complex(a.k.a.Bush). Being American I am told that we are living in the land of the free....What a crock. Of course they're promoting prohibition to "keep the children safe". I bet you've heard that one before. That is why we love to do business with third world countries that enslave their children to work in sweatshops and have environmental staqndards which are even more pathetic than our own. Boycott boycott boycott. America government sucks and thanks to the Diebold voting machines the conspiracy has deepened greatly. fellow americans tell all your friends about www.votetoimpeach.org [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on October 08, 2003 at 20:48:48 PT Pulse24.com: The Other Man's Grass http://www.pulse24.com/News/Top_Story/20031007-013/page.aspLow Speed Connection: http://www.pulse24.com/News/Top_Story/20031007-013/Video-5-1.asxHigh Speed Connection: http://www.pulse24.com/News/Top_Story/20031007-013/Video-5-2.asx [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on October 08, 2003 at 19:01:08 PT Just a Comment I love the Canadian spirit! [ Post Comment ] Post Comment