The standoff between the City of Toronto and one cannabis chain operator rages on. Earlier this week, bylaw enforcement officers placed large concrete blocks in front of entrances at four CAFE shops across the city. On Thursday, the barriers were removed at the 104 Harbord St. location, and the shop resumed business.The reopening was short-lived, however, as city officials got word and sent staff to reinstall the blocks. Their return dismayed prospective buyers like Alleen Crystal, who stopped by Friday after she heard the store was open.“It’s closed again?” she said. “Honestly, I don’t think it makes sense.”Throughout the day, people outside the store exchanged information. Someone put up a bunch of posters on the blocks advertising for cannabis delivery anywhere in the GTA. The posters were later taken down.According to the owners of the CAFE shops, the city’s actions are further indication that cannabis legislation is flawed. “This behaviour is reckless and embarrassing,” the owners said in a Friday statement, calling the city’s latest enforcement measures an “addiction to prohibition.”“If one wishes to control the sale of cannabis, this is not the way, by further harming Canadians.”The city said it was aware that the blocks were removed at one of the CAFE stores and had taken action to reinstall them.“This matter is being investigated by the Toronto police. Entering a barred premise is also a contravention under the Cannabis Control Act,” said Mark Sraga, the city’s director of bylaw enforcement, in an emailed statement Friday.“The city will continue to take progressive enforcement action against these locations by exercising all authorities under the Cannabis Control Act,” he said.Cat-and-mouse game aside, Sraga had earlier praised enforcement efforts to clamp down on illegal operators, with the number dropping from nearly 40 last year to approx ...
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