Article by: Matthew Van Dongen, Hamilton Spectator
Medical marijuana growers causing a stink on Kenilworth Avenue North will fight an eviction order in court.
The city issued a zoning violation notice and ordered an end to pot production by June 20 at 229 Kenilworth after residents complained of a strong odour to Coun. Sam Merulla. Until then, bylaw officials had assumed the former Boomers strip club was vacant.
Lawyer Yigal Rifkind said this week his building ownership group disagrees with the bylaw order, noting the tenants have valid federal licences to grow pot at the location. But he added the owners are nonetheless trying to evict the tenants to avoid “going to war” with the city.
The tenants are fighting that eviction effort in court, however.
Court documents show Toronto resident Antonio Sergi, who identifies himself as a leaseholder and tenant at 229 Kenilworth, has made an application for “relief from forfeiture” that will be heard in Hamilton July 7.