Ottawa’s BuzzOn Vapour Lounge is set to re-open in the next few weeks, only months after the city closed it down for building code violations.
BuzzOn, which is located in Vanier, advertises itself as a recreational lounge where people can socialize and consume marijuana through vapourizers.
Its co-owner, Wayne Robillard, said various changes were made to the lounge to make sure the building was up to code. Emergency exit doors have been updated, bathrooms have been added, and some of the rooms now have fireproofing.
“One of the big things was the air exchange system,” he said. “It’s all installed now and ready to go.”
Robillard noted that BuzzOn will be reopening with “a much different attitude” since he doesn’t believe the lounge will face any more setbacks with the city or police.
“Really, we should be able to operate a lot more freely in terms of not being harassed by either one,” he said.
Andrew Hathaway, an associate professor and pot expert at the University of Guelph, said he thinks vapour lounges like BuzzOn should be able to operate without trouble relating to marijuana use.
“It’s not so much related to the illegality of it, but more along the lines of smoking bylaws [and] the need for proper ventilation,” he said.
Hathaway noted there is a high prevalence of cannabis users in the general population, and businesses like BuzzOn are taking advantage of this.
“From a business perspective, there’s definitely a market for it,” he said. “Having a [legitimate] place to go and consume I think is potentially very attractive for students—for example, who live on-campus in residence.”
Hathaway said he hopes young people are aware of vapourizer technology, as there is potential to reduce the harm from simply inhaling smoke.
“I think those that are willing to stick their neck out and run a vapour lounge . . . should be commended,” he said.
Robillard said he opened BuzzOn because he feels vapour lounges provide “the perfect social atmosphere for people like [him] who prefer to consume cannabis.”
He said he welcomes anyone to the lounge if they meet the age of entry.
“Of course everybody will be welcome,” Robillard said. “We are dropping the age of entry to 18 from 19, and all you require is ID saying you’re of age to get in.”
Robillard, said he’s looking forward to re-opening the building.
“We just went through an elephant’s gestation period,” he said. “It’s been brutal. It’s been way too long.”
