Prescott is looking at the possibility of cannabis being sold in town.
Committee of the Whole recommended approving cannabis retail sales. CAO Matthew Armstrong says there will be 25 initial licenses in Ontario with five going to Eastern Ontario. Armstrong noted retailers have to apply for licences.
Councillor Lee McConnell says this really is a non-issue now that cannabis is legal. He says he’s more concerned about where it’s allowed not if it’s allowed.
Councillor Teresa Jansman was in favour of opting-in as well. She says as leaders of the community, council is responsible for protecting the youth and all the risks involved.
Mayor Brett Todd says he hasn’t heard about other area municipalities not allowing cannabis retail sales. He says with the online sales, it’s going to be delivered to the post office in Prescott anyways.
“We can’t be a bubble in the middle of the rest of Ontario, so I’m glad we made the decision tonight to move forward with it and we’ll see what happens.”
Cannabis retail stores have to be 150-metres away from schools and municipalities would have 15 days to provide input on the location of cannabis retailer before a site is authorized.
It was a unanimous vote to recommend council to opt-in. Cannabis retail stores are set to open in Ontario this April.