Whether you're pro-legalization or not, a cannabis user or not, have kids or not, the fact is that legal cannabis dispensaries have a place in our communities. There are examples all over Ontario of legal cannabis shops quietly operating under licence, located more than 150 meters from any school, with inconspicuous exteriors, etc. You don't see them in the news for shady activity, and parents feel comfortable passing by with children. 

In contrast, illegal cannabis shops 1Tonamara and CAFE in CityPlace have a long history of skirting laws and law enforcement, and continue to violate laws, especially around proximity to schools and advertising/appealing to youth.

Community members in Spadina Fort York implore government representatives and other authorities to find solutions that permanently address the following two main violations:

VIOLATION 1: PROXIMITY TO SCHOOLS

Laws clearly state that cannabis retail stores are restricted from being located within 150 metres from publicly funded schools or private schools, specifying that the "150 meters shall be measured from the boundary of any space occupied by the school or private school within the building" in a straight line. Community members have observed ongoing non-compliance:

• Illegal cannabis shops 1Tonamara at 38 Fort York Blvd and CAFE at 68 Fort York Blvd (previously 66 Fort York Blvd) have been operating without a license within the 150-meter buffer zone around Jean Lumb Public School and Bishop Macdonell Catholic School. (The complex also includes Canoe Landing Child Care Centre, the local community centre, and a park that features a sports field, splash pad and playground for children.)
• In summary, they are breaking the law simply by operating at the addresses mentioned above.
• Multiple parents have complained about passing these dispensaries with elementary school aged kids on the route to and from school, citing discomfort around the presence these shops often have at street level: multiple signs and posters, loud music, and occasionally cannabis consumption. 

VIOLATION 2: OPERATING IN WAYS THAT APPEAL TO YOUTH

According to laws and cannabis regulations, "Protecting the health and safety of youth is a top priority" and the promotion of cannabis "in a manner that there are reasonable grounds to believe could be appealing to young persons" is strictly prohibited. Penalties for violating these prohibitions include a fine of up to $5 million or 3 years in jail. Community members feel that the illegal pot shops in CityPlace target kids and violate the laws in place to protect youth in a number of ways:

• Over the years, CAFE has tried to mask its criminal image by participating in and sponsoring community events, including children's events. While some families take part (often unaware of CAFEs other activities), others are concerned and believe illegal businesses should have no place in events that involve kids. Many believe it is highly inappropriate for CAFE to advertise using branded shirts for children taking part in community clean-ups, or a giant corn maze in the shape of their logo in the local park where kids can see it from the comfort of their high-rise homes.  
• During this year's CityPlace Kids Halloween Crawl, CAFE was a sponsor and 1Tonamara invited kids inside their shop for free popcorn. Even the Cannabis Council of Canada (C3) is frustrated by these actions, as described here.
• There are laws and ad standards for brands of alcohol, cigarettes, cannabis, etc., which restricts the text and visuals for the protection of youth. Legal dispensaries have adhered to these, and the illegal pot shops in CityPlace do not. Images of cannabis use or implied effects are not allowed.
• Posters and flyers showing cannabis imagery and cannabis use from illegal dispensaries are posted all over the neighbourhood, on public bulletin boards and taped to most lamp posts. Families come across over a hundred between Spadina and Bathurst alone. This needs to stop.
• In Novemeber 2022, 1Tonamara ran a 25% student discount promotion, using imagery of school supplies like crayons, alphabet magnets, paint, and LEGO bricks alongside illustrations of people smoking joints and using bongs. These flyers are distributed by hand, often laid out for anyone to pick up directly on the stoop next to the sidewalk, and taped around posts in the neighbourhood.

Cityplace parents demand answers. They want to know why these two shops still exists with little oversight. They want to know why authorities and media seemingly have been turning a blind eye to the ongoing violations since 2019. They want to know why the government doesn't step in to provide all levels of law enforcement with resources to do more than a wrist slap.

Residents and legal businesses of Spadina Fort York have HAD ENOUGH and need the City of Toronto, the Toronto Police Service, provincial and federal governments, and the media to pay attention. This group's goals include:

• We want to protect our youth.
• We want a safe community.
• We want all businesses that sell alcohol, cigarettes, cannabis, etc. to be responsible, accountable, and respectful of the laws that protect our community. 
• We want government representatives and other authorities to find permanent solutions (not just raids that allow these shops to reopen hours later)
• 1Tonamara and CAFE need to be heavily fined for violating the Cannabis Act and operating in ways that appeal to youth.
• We want stronger enforcement of the mandates around school buffer zones when it comes to all current and future cannabis retail locations, as well as clear financial/imprisonment penalties for violators.