Puffing in public
By: Curtis Rush, Toronto Star, 10/09/03

There was little concern, lots of odd-smelling smoke and no police presence at the Hot Box Café at the lunch hour Wednesday 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."