The Plant Doctor was
started in 1999 by Michael McDowell and his wife Tabetha Lilley to
meet the needs of the hydroponics market in southwestern Ontario.
With years of 'hands on' experience, they felt that it was important
to provide folk with a safe means, both equipment and knowledge, to
grow their own plants. The business grew to general plant doctoring
of exotic and tropical plants, sales, services and maintenance
contracts for offices and malls. Along the way the owner saw that
medicinal Cannabis patients were not being served by the government
in a fair way. The Plant Doctor started assisting patients in
growing there own medicine at a cost that these (usually poor)
people could afford. It was around this time that the possession law
was struck down. The soil had been tilled and the earth was ready
for something new.
Who we are
The Hippy Cafe was
the seed of an idea that was planted in the summer of 2003 during
period of time in Canada when possession of Cannabis was 'not
illegal'. Cannabis was not 'legal', it's just that the
courts had 'struck down' the possession part of the law. To fill
this void of 'lawlessness', the owners of the Plant Doctor decided
to create a place where folks could consume their own Cannabis in an
atmosphere that was both permissive and regulated. Patrons must be
18 (if you can vote, you can make adult decisions).
Absolutely no 'dealing' of Cannabis is allowed (which keeps
the 'street' outside where it belongs). So much for regulation. It's
the permissiveness that makes the Hippy Cafe unique. Patrons can
purchase papers and pipes, rent bongs and vaporizers and get food
and drinks from a 'munchies' like menu. Custom glasswork is done by
a resident glass blower and other work is on display by local
talent. The Bong Bar was moved complete from the McDowell rec room
to the cafe just to see if it would catch on. Not only was it a hit
(pun intended) but the Cafe is apparently a world leader in
Bong Bars (being the only one we could find helps us there). The
cafe has many different rooms to give folks a choice of vibe. From
chill rooms where chat is quiet and chess is played to the 'big
room' that has a pool table and serves as a venue for bands to play.
And of course there's the Bong Bar with it's couches and 'rec'
atmosphere.
Recently, the Hippy
Cafe became a chapter of the Church of the Universe with the
official ordination of it's owner, Michael Alexander McDowell as
Reverend Brother. The Church of the Universe worships The Tree of
Life (Cannabis) and call themselves The Children of Sumer in honor
of the first agricultural society, the Sumarians. It was a natural
decision for the Cafe, we were already believers. It's pretty easy
to believe in a plant that know can help us save our world
and might, just might, save our souls. we Click on the link
below for more info on the Church. (Reproduced with
permission.)
Church of the
Universe - Children of Sumer
Also see:
Criminal Code and Religions
What we're about
So now we're The Hippy Sanctuary as well. A
sanctuary to express our culture and traditions as any religious and
social community that does no harm should be allowed,
without fear of persecution. The Plant Doctor is as active as ever. We may pick up other names
along the way. It's a changing scene. We will keep the kind and gentle
'Hippy Cafe' name, though. That's
what we're about, a kind and gentle approach to the world, society
and the folks in it.
Remember the first two Rules of
the Church of the Universe;
Do not hurt yourself.
Do not hurt anyone else.
Now,
having read our little intro,
please
