Blind River council has approved the creation of a cannabis store in town.
Council fully endorsed opting in to have a store for the sale of recreational cannabis. The endorsement was given following a public meeting on the subject prior to council’s regular meeting Tuesday evening.
About 20 residents attended the public meeting to offer their views on establishing a cannabis outlet in Blind River. The town has already received opinions in a public survey that found 49 per cent of respondents in flavour of a store with 40 per cent opposed and 11 per cent undecided.
The town’s manager of building, planning and bylaws John Jones made a presentation on some of the benefits to the community in allowing a cannabis store to set up shop.
The federal government approved the legalization of cannabis in October last year and stores in Ontario would be regulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission, he said.
Jones said the requirement outlined by the province to allow a buffer zone of 150 meters from any school would see it unlikely a store could be established within the business core. That would mean the store could set up in an established plaza or in a newly constructed building outside the 150-meter buffer from the town’s five different schools.
Jones noted the store would provide job opportunities and job sustainability, represent a new business in the community, promote local spending rather than users having to go to other communities to purchase the product, and provide alternative health care for residents who use cannabis for medicinal purposes. It would also create a reduction in the underground market for the sale of cannabis and provide a quality control for users.
Currently cannabis is provided by a federally-approved supplier. To date the province has approved setting up cannabis stores in four cities in northern Ontario with populations of over 50,000 people before smaller communities will be allowed to bid on outlets, possibly later this year.
It’s anticipated a cannabis store will be established in the nearby Mississauga First Nation community.
Local communities that have indicated they will opt in are Elliot Lake, Spanish, the Township of North Shore, Township of Nairn and Hyman, Township of Tarbutt and the city of Sudbury. Sault Ste. Marie remains undecided in whether to opt in or not. Municipalities have until January 22 to decide whether they want to opt in or opt out.
Those speaking at the public meeting seemed to reflect the percentage of people in the survey for those supporting and opposing the creation of the store.
Janet Smith supported the sale of cannabis based on a personal experience with her ill sister whose life has improved since she started using medicinal cannabis. Smith attended the meeting to hear how a cannabis store would be established and operate.
Another resident said she supported the establishment of a store operating under similar rules and regulations that govern the sales at the LCBO or at convenience stores that sell cigarettes.
Councillor HP Roy, who operates a business across from the LCBO, said his shop benefits from customers of the LCBO. He indicated similar benefits for other businesses from having a cannabis store in the community.
“I see this as a win-win for us and all businesses in the area,” Coun. Roy said.
Businessman Garnet Young, who is president of the local Chamber of Commerce, said he personally would support a store. Young noted his views did not reflect any decisions by the Chamber.
“I think it should be opted in,” he said, referring to the establishment of a new business and potential “spin offs” for other businesses.
Warren Wiebe, who has been a teacher in the community for 39 years, opposed the sale of cannabis in Blind River.
Wiebe said he’s seen the detrimental effects of pot use in young people during his time as a teacher. Making more available, he added, won’t reduce use among young people despite the regulation where cannabis can only be sold to those who are 19 years and older.
Sandy Wiebe, a school teacher for 38 years, said the Canadian Medical Association, does not endorse cannabis use among young people
“I have seen way too many students who have taken a very negative path. They lose all their motivation,” she said. “It’s a very scary prospect. I would hate to see us make a decision that would just increase access.”
Another business owner, who declined to give her name to Elliotlaketoday, said she opposed the establishment of a store.
Her concern centred around rumours of the establishment of a cannabis lounge. The owner said she supports medicinal cannabis use, but won’t support increased use that would come with open sales and the negative impact it would have on her downtown business and the potential of users of a possible lounge leaving impaired.
Mayor Sally Hagman thanked the residents for their input.
Council gave its approval to opting in.