Clearview seeks public input on recreational cannabis

Clearview Township is holding a community consultation Jan. 7 to hear how residents feel about allowing cannabis retail stores in the municipality.

The Government of Ontario has given municipalities until Jan. 22 to opt out of having retail cannabis storefronts operate within their boundaries.

“Council is keenly interested to hear opinions from the public on the question of cannabis retail and its potential impact on our community,” said Mayor Doug Measures.

The meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers at town hall, 217 Gideon St. in Stayner. People are also invited to submit written comments to askthemayor@clearview.ca.

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Recreational marijuana is legal in Canada as of October 17. Consumers 19 or older are able to consume, purchase, and grow recreational cannabis through online retail platforms operated by the Ontario Cannabis Store but it won’t be sold legally in retail locations until April 1.

Legalization is a result of federal legislation but decisions are also being made at the provincial level and will soon be addressed at the council table.

The province is working on its laws about smoking in public places, which are expected to be the same as the rules around smoking tobacco.

According to information distributed to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), the government is introducing legislation that, if enacted, would create a tightly regulated licensing model and regulatory framework for private retail of cannabis in Ontario. Municipalities will have until Jan. 22 to pass a council resolution to opt out of allowing retail stores.

Clearview has yet to discuss whether or not it will take advantage of that option