Cannabis Lounges

Why are there no cannabis lounges in Canada post-legalization?

Posted, Edited and Photos Added by Valkyrie Extractions Admin
Original Article Written by Amanda Siebert
Cannabis consumption lounges existed before legalization⁠—what happened?

What’s the deal with cannabis lounges in Canada? There’s a cruel irony in reflecting on this question given that cannabis is legal.

In the nearly four years since legalization, not a single jurisdiction has created legislation to allow for cannabis consumption in public places. Despite cannabis becoming legal in 2018, consumers can’t smoke, vape, eat, etc, in any indoor spaces. Sometimes even outdoor, spaces.

Consumption lounges still exist all over the world. In both legalized countries and places where cannabis is still illegal. Pre-legalization there were cannabis lounges and compassion clubs coast-to-coast in Canada. Now those same players are being fined millions for still operating.

Believe it or not, the lack of cannabis cafes in Canada is a problem for consumers and non-consumers alike. In addition to being a proven tool for harm reduction, it is also a giant missed opportunity for tourism. Ever hear about a place called Amsterdam?! Will we ever get them back?

Anyone in Canada over the age of 19 can walk into a bar and enjoy a cold pint of beer or a cocktail. People who like caffeine can get their hands on a coffee anytime, anywhere.

But you want to consume another legal substance, cannabis, in a venue outside of your home with a couple of friends? Well, you are (mostly) out of luck.

This level of coddling is unnecessary. Advocates will attest to the safety profile of cannabis. Coupled with the strict regulations that exist around its consumption,

This lack of consumption spaces is alienating. It continues to stigmatize the plant long after we’ve been told it’s okay to partake in our substance of choice.

The problem with smoking bylaws is that one size doesn’t fit all

Lawmakers and public health officials will say that smoking bylaws primarily stand in the way of cannabis consumption lounges. They will justify including cannabis smoke in these bylaws because they believe that by doing so they are reducing harm to the public.

Smoking bylaws exist to protect the health and safety of the public and are in place for good reason. I’m not here to debate their validity. What I will argue against is the fallacy. One largely accepted by governments and peddled to the public. This is that tobacco smoke and cannabis smoke are equally harmful.

There is evidence that shows that while the two substances have many of the same components. However, they do not have the same effect. It’s true that inhaling any kind of smoke is harmful to lung health. Even so, the pharmacological activities spurred on by tobacco and cannabis smoke are very different.

The narrative that the two are equal also completely erases the fact that, for many Canadians, smoked cannabis is medicinal . It can improve overall quality of life. The same cannot be said for tobacco smoking. It leads to the death of an estimated 48,000 Canadians each year.

Cannabis lounges and compassion clubs are harm reduction

Here’s the thing. There is already plenty of evidence to show that cannabis lounges themselves can also serve as a means of harm reduction.

Cannabis lounges in Canada have shown us firsthand they help encourage harm reduction in two ways. They protect those who aren’t interested in being exposed to cannabis smoke from it entirely. They also give cannabis consumers a safe place to gather and consume without having to be ashamed of using a legal substance.

Lounges create a place for patients to consume where they don’t have to worry about being ticketed for a bylaw infraction. Patients can find camaraderie and a sense of belonging with other patients and consumers.

Recreational consumers, too, should have a place to consume a legal substance. Without having to worry about irritating sensitive noses or being subject to angry glares.

Most will just brush off these reactions and go about their business, However, I’d bet that if there was a designated place to light up, consumers would choose to head there instead of potentially annoying their neighbours.

Are we getting any closer to getting these spaces back?

Entertaining the idea of these safe spaces returning feels futile. It’s easy to see why. A Canadian Press article from September 2021 noted that when provincial and territorial regulators were asked about cannabis lounges, “many [said] they are not even under consideration.”

Little has been said by these jurisdictions since they expressed initial interest. In Alberta, regulations recently allowed for the licensing of cigar smoking lounges. However, cannabis lounges continue to be out of the question.

Canada has already had these lounges…and they worked 🙂

Canada’s lack of cannabis smoking establishments is especially frustrating for consumers. Prior to legalization, they had access to any one of the lounges that existed across Canada in cities like Victoria, Vancouver, Kingston, Toronto, and St. John’s.

Before the Smoke-Free Ontario Act was amended ahead of legalization to ban vaping and cannabis smoking indoors, lounges like Hotbox and 420 Sessions existed in a grey area because the act was specific to tobacco smoke.

Ask anyone who had the pleasure of lighting up in the lounge at the Victoria Cannabis Buyers’ Club, or used a Volcano with friends at any one of the many vapour lounges in Vancouver or Toronto, and they’ll likely agree these establishments were invaluable and provided a unique, safe, social environment.

In Feb 2022, the VCBC and its founder were fined $6.5 million for operating illegally.

What’s the Solution?

Cannabis consumers in other parts of the world—see: Amsterdam, Barcelona, Denver, Las Vegas and California, just to name a few—have access to a range of indoor consumption spots ranging from chill cafes with a relaxed vibe to louder venues that feel more like pubs.

As a long-time cannabis consumer and professional, I find it hard to understand why lawmakers continue to stand by the prohibition of cannabis lounges, especially when there are so many useful reasons for them to exist.

Tourism is a great reason. As Canadians who’ve visited these places will tell you, lounges serve as an incredible draw for tourists and are a fun place to hang out and spend cash.

Unfortunately, unless bylaws are revisited, visitors to Canada intent on smoking a joint with their smoked salmon eggs benny or maple syrup and pancakes will have to settle for what the rest of us do: a stealthy pre-brunch pre-roll on the sidewalk.

Amanda Siebert

Amanda Siebert

Amanda Siebert is a Vancouver-based freelance journalist and author whose work has appeared in the New York Times, the Georgia Straight, VICE, and more. Her first book, The Little Book of Cannabis: How Marijuana Can Improve Your Life, was published on October 17, 2018.
Until next time…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *