PUFFING IN PUBLIC

There was little concern, lots of odd-smelling smoke and no police
presence at the Hot Box Cafe 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
Cafe 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 cafe in Kensington Market, so they're going to come here
regardless."