Abi Roach (born 1983 or 1984) is a Canadian cannabis entrepreneur and advocate for the reform of cannabis in Ontario and Canada.
Abi Roach | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1978 |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Occupation(s) | Cannabis entrepreneur and advocate |
| Years active | 2003-present |
| Employer | Ontario Cannabis Retail Corporation |
| Organization | Cannabis Friendly Business Association |
Early life
editRoach was born in Haifa, Israel 1983 or 1984.[1]
Career
editRoach is a Canadian cannabis entrepreneur. She has owned the Cannabis retail outlet Roach-o-Rama, and since 2012, a cannabis-tourism business in Saint Ann, Jamaica.[2][3] She was the publisher of the (now defunct) Spliff free cannabis news magazine.[2][4]
Roach was the owner-operator of the Kensington Market, Toronto-based[5] cannabis lounge Hotbox Cafe from 2003[1] until she sold the business to Friendly Stranger Holdings Corp in 2020.[4] The business was North America's longest running Cannabis-consumption business space and opened the day after ownership of cannabis was decriminalised in Ontario.[1]
Roach is an advocate for cannabis law reform, and in 2016 was an organiser for the Cannabis Friendly Business Association.[6] In November 2017, she spoke before a Government of Ontario committee, advocating for a relaxation of laws that govern where cannabis can be consumed.[7] Roach was critical of the Government of Ontario's distribution of Cannabis licences via a lottery system, before taking a job at the government's Ontario Cannabis Retail Corporation.[4]
Personal life
editIn 2019, Roach lives in Kensington Market, Toronto.[3]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Veintrop, Julia; Markwart, Andres (2020-01-13). "A wise approach - a conversation with Abi Roach". Cannabis Life Network. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
- ^ a b Ross, E. R. (2017). Canadabis: The Canadian Weed Reader. United States: Adams Media. p. 17
- ^ a b Deschamps, Tara (2019-04-07). "Cannabis smokers get more bong for their buck at bud-and-breakfasts with a different vibe". The Toronto Star. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
- ^ a b c "Marijuana activist and vocal critic of government's legalization rollout takes job with OCS". CityNews. 24 Jan 2020. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
- ^ Smee, Mike (28 November 2016). "City targets landlords in fight against Toronto's pot retailers". CBC.
- ^ Fife, Robert; Chase, Steven (2016-11-29). "Trudeau's lead on legalizing marijuana lobbied during cash-for-access fundraiser". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
- ^ "Ontario considers allowing cannabis lounges as legalization deadline looms". CBC. 21 January 2018.
