PENTICTON — A Penticton cafe that sells more than coffees and muffins has recently had its business licence suspended after the city received complaints the shop is peddling marijuana.
Rush In and Finnish Cafe has been selling marijuana for about a year now. Last November, owner Jukka Laurio boldly showed his products to Global News and on Wednesday, it was clear that it’s still business as usual at the coffee shop.
READ MORE: Penticton marijuana club flying under the radar
Laurio currently has a business licence to operate a coffee shop and he believes he’s adhering to the terms of his licence.
“The licence itself grants more than just a coffee shop because we have edibles here, we have food here, plus we have a small amount of retail. But it’s all ingestible products,” he said.
“Technically, that’s still a grey area.”
However, the City of Penticton said the issue is black and white and what he’s doing is illegal.
“He’s in violation, that’s why we served him a notice in the first place. But until he’s given a fair process, we won’t enforce that,” Mayor Andrew Jakubeit said.
The city is providing Laurio the opportunity to appeal the suspension.
Laurio is expected to meet with council next month.
WATCH BELOW: Owner Jukka Laurio shows Global News the different marijuana products he carries.
The city has also hand delivered a warning to stop operations to Star Buds on Westminister Avenue.
The mayor said warnings will also go to two other marijuana selling shops later this week.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s announcement that pot legislation likely won’t change until next spring prompted the city to take action.
“Now that it’s a year away, we can’t allow businesses to operate illegally,” Jakubeit said.
But in the meantime, Laurio will continue serving more than 3,000 customers who he believes desperately need his service.
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