It looks like marijuana just became an issue in Guelph’s October’s municipal election.
But no one seems too sure yet on exactly what it means for the city to make its own decision on whether to allow privately-run marijuana retail stores starting in April.
“It’s the Wild West when it comes to this one,” says Ward 3 councillor Phil Allt.
On Monday the province announced that it would start selling marijuana online in October and then allow private retailers to open on April 1, 2019.
It was an about-face from the previous Liberal government’s plan to have the province run the retail stores themselves.
But the province did say Monday that municipalities will be given a one-shot opportunity to bow out of the retail store side of the plan, meaning a city could ban legal private marijuana stores within their boundaries if they want.
That “yay” or “nay” decision will likely be made by the new Guelph City Council to be elected Oct. 22.
It will probably be there that it is decided whether or not they will be allowed in Guelph.
Mayor Cam Guthrie, in a written statement, said that basically said there’s some things to figure out.
"I'll have a better idea of the direction and the province’s guidelines after the AMO (Association of Municipalities of Ontario) conference this weekend where municipal leaders will be discussing the potential impacts on municipalities as there are still a number of unanswered questions at the time of the province’s announcement,” Guthrie said.
Aggie Mlynzarz, the only other person running for Mayor of Guelph, said she is in favour of privately operated marijuana retail stores in Guelph, but that it has to be done right.
“I see an excellent opportunity for collaboration between local government, community, and business to address concerns that arose from the provincial election. Specifically access to the product and location,” Mlynarz said.
“However, like any other business in the community, it will need to be licensed appropriately. The PC-led provincial government has been clear that municipalities still need to be consulted before moving ahead. I respect this and believe that such a collaboration will take time.
“There are still hurdles ahead for us and the province to address, particularly regarding the enforcement and compliance around regulated sales.”
Enforcement of the new regulations is one key area, Mlynarz added.
“This is very new, and as someone seeking election, I want to stress we owe this to ourselves as a community to make sure private sales are done right and all voices are heard.”
The 10 current councillors seeking reelection in October were also asked their thoughts on the issue. Six were able to provide a prompt response.
“It is more than likely that this will become a future council decision,” said Ward 4 councillor Christine Billings.
She, like others, questioned the timeline for the implementation of the new pot rules.
“This is a very new issue for municipalities and we don't know the time frame that the province has given us for this option. As a first step, it would be prudent to have the public engagement process to inform the Council decision,” Billings said.
Ward 3’s Allt, while not opposed to retail marijuana, said the new plans don’t leave municipalities with enough time to prepare.
“I find this probably comes down to we just don’t have enough time to get this prepared,” Allt said.
“In terms of public safety, I think we have to opt in,” he said, “but it doesn’t matter if I agree or not. It’s coming.”
“I would have to assume this would be a future council decision,” said Ward 1 councillor Dan Gibson.
“The distribution through regulated businesses will allow entrepreneurs and private business owners the ability to participate in this new market and should result in broader economic benefit,” Gibson said.
“It should also serve to benefit the consumer in the long run. I do not believe (in this case) a government run monopoly is necessary.”
Fellow Ward 1 councillor Bob Bell was short and to the point in where he stands on the issue.
“I think weed should be sold by the LCBO,” Bell said via email, referring to the plan the previous provincial government had started to implement, going so far as to start preparing a local store on Stone Road.
Ward 2’s James Gordon said he was “surprised and disappointed” that the plan to have the LCBO run the retail marijuana stores was scrapped.
“That took lots of planning and careful consideration, so we are back to square one with that,” Gordon said.
“I would have to see the actual model for privately run outlets to see if that made sense here, though I am not opposed to the retail sale of marijuana.”
Ward 6’s Mark MacKinnon also feels it will come down to a future decision of council.
“With the information I currently have, I do not envision a rational reason to prohibit the sales of legal cannabis in Guelph, provided appropriate legislative and zoning requirements are followed by the private retail stores,” MacKinnon said.
No specific deadline for when municipalities have to notify the province of their intentions has been released.
