The city has taken the unusual step of physically barring item to four illegal cannabis dispensaries with massive concrete blocks, calling it a progressive approach to bylaw enforcement.Late Wednesday and early Thursday, workers from the city’s Municipal Licensing and Standards (MLS) department placed the blocks in front of the doors at four cannabis dispensaries, each of which was operating under the name “CAFE.” While the measure is rarely applied, the city says the use of concrete blocks is one of its more effective strategies to get compliance with closure orders when the operators would otherwise simply re-open their businesses.“These people just blatantly violate the law,” said MLS director of investigative services Mark Sraga.Sraga said bylaw enforcement officers had repeatedly visited and inspected the dispensaries as part of enforcement efforts under the provincial Cannabis Control Act. In addition to physically blocking access, officers also seized some products and laid a total of 70 charges, he said.Under the act, a corporation found guilty of illegal cannabis operations can face penalties of up to $1 million, while individuals face a minimum fine of $10,000.In an emailed statement to the Star, CAFE did not respond to questions about the charges it faces, but said the business exists to fill “a necessary void.”“It is without question that the Ontario Cannabis Store system and its subsequent rollout of cannabis retail in Ontario is flawed,” the unsigned statement said. “We are here to provide reasonable dignified access to the many Canadians who have come to rely on us.”Read more:Closing illegal pot shops an uphill battle until demand is met, say authoritiesToronto continues crackdown on illegal pot shopsToronto’s crackdown on illegal pot shops has resulted in 41 charges so farSraga said the crackdown on illegal cannabis operators has been largely successful, with the number dropp ...
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