As marijuana becomes legal in Canada as of Wednesday, Collingwood council voted through some preliminary ground rules on Monday night to ease the transition.
Clerk Sara Almas’ report made three recommendations that council unanimously passed on Monday: to allow staff seek out public consultation and gather input from residents on whether or not to allow cannabis outlets in Collingwood, to prohibit cannabis advertising on any town-owned properties, and for staff to monitor costs associated with the legalization of cannabis over the next two years to provide feedback to council.
Almas said the information gathered during public consultation would be provided to Collingwood’s new council to make a decision on allowing cannabis retail outlets prior to a Jan. 22 deadline put forward by the Ontario government as the final day for Canadian municipalities to opt-out of allowing retail cannabis outlets within their jurisdiction.
“Consumption rules are to be aligned with the tobacco places for use, under the Smoke Free Ontario Act. This is pretty significant for municipalities,” said Almas, adding that people will be allowed to smoke or vape in public areas.
“We were one of the forerunners regarding the tobacco legislation a number of years ago,” said Almas. “We were the first to actually regulate prohibiting the use of tobacco in and around playing areas. We could do something similar to this to expand it to other areas.”
Almas’ presentation and staff report contained information from various departments on the impacts of marijuana legalization.
Councillors voiced many questions and concerns during Almas’ presentation
“Are we at liberty to introduce a policy similar to alcohol consumption in public spaces? I think public consumption will be an issue for many people,” asked Coun. Kevin Lloyd.
Almas reassured Lloyd that the situation will be closely monitored.
“I believe this is something we’re going to have to look at,” she said. “If that’s something we need to tighten up and we have the ability to, we will bring it to council.”
Deputy Mayor Brian Saunderson was interested in dollars and cents.
“The (political) landscape has changed dramatically since the (provincial) election...I was under the impression municipalities were getting $10,000 (to deal with enforcement)... now they’re getting $5,000,” he said.
“Five thousand dollars per year is woefully inadequate; it’s not even going to scratch the surface. There are going to be challenges as this thing unfolds. I think there are larger implications we haven’t even thought of yet.”
Coun. Mike Edwards had concerns specifically about retail outlets.
“I have a lot of major concerns about the whole process,” he said. “If the municipality wants to opt in, is it limited to one (store per municipality), or is there no limit?”
Almas said there is currently no limit in place, and that it will be up to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) to determine limits, adding that the town has already been approached by retail outlets wanting to sell cannabis in Collingwood.
Coun. Bob Madigan voiced concerns about enforcement.
“You were mentioning bylaw officers would be complaint-driven,” he said. “Will there be special training? Will the province be providing training?”
Almas said bylaw officers would not yet be authorized to perform any enforcement, but that once they were, revenue from offences would stay within the municipality.
While cannabis use will be legal on Oct. 17, the sale of recreational use marijuana is limited to online sales by provincial sites including the Ontario Cannabis Store. It’s expected there will be an Ontario private retail model established by April 1, 2019, to allow bricks-and-mortar stores to sell marijuana.
According to Almas’ report, the town’s human resources division is also reviewing their own draft Substance Use Policy for the town to incorporate medicinal and recreational cannabis as it relates to the town’s employees and responsibilities as an employer.
There will be cannabis awareness event on Wednesday night hosted by OPP and the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit at the Leisure Time Club on Minnesota Street in Collingwood from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. It’s being advertised as a free community awareness session with information on laws, rules, effects of cannabis, and resources available.
For the full staff report, click here.
- with files from Erika Engel
