Dear Editor:
Municipalities have the power to opt out of hosting retail marijuana outlets before Jan. 22. Otherwise, they are automatically opted in. This cannot be reversed. They forfeit all rights regarding the number and location of retail stores.
Last week, I sent a paper regarding the impact of marijuana to all CAOs, clerks, mayors and councillors in Wellington County and the City of Guelph. I have included excerpts in this letter.
In 2014, Colorado became the first state to legalize marijuana. The black market is booming. Crime is on the rise. Hospital visits are increasing. Now, its governor won’t rule out re-criminalizing it.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) says drug trafficking organizations move in, disguised as legitimate operations.
“They will exploit Canadian laws to increase profit, peddling pot right outside legal dispensaries, undercutting prices. Even if all the jurisdictions in Canada legalize the drug at the same time, they’ll come from around the world to rob people at gunpoint for their marijuana. They’ll kill people. There’s a very dark side to it.”
An anonymous drug dealer says legalization hasn’t had a big impact on his business because he caters to clients who don’t want to be seen going into a dispensary.
Food and beverage companies are forming alliances with cannabis producers.
With the legal amount of 30 grams yielding approximately 100 joints and four plants yielding approximately 3,000 joints every three months, and the ability to stock-pile, concerns over increased drug usage, addiction and dealing will increase.
Cannabis overdoses in Ontario have almost tripled since 2013.
One in seven cannabis users report driving within two hours of using it. A ten-year trend shows one in four teens who died in motor vehicle accidents tested positive for cannabis.
A great deal of time and money is being spent on economic development, beautification and revitalization of our communities, only to be undone by loitering and crime which will further escalate since marijuana stores will stay open until 11pm, when other businesses will be closed.
Envision walking down the street and in parking lots, through clouds of second-hand smoke on your way to your favourite restaurant, store, park or arena.
Municipalities can implement bylaws declaring a smoke-free environment, prohibiting use of tobacco and marijuana. They can also ban edibles and the growing of marijuana plants.
You can make a difference. Send emails and letters. Complete surveys. Attend meetings. Be a delegate. Municipalities must hear from you before their council meetings in December, where I will be presenting as a delegate. Check meeting dates in your community.
The council meeting in Centre Wellington is Dec. 17 at 7pm in Elora. Please show your support. Talking after the fact will be too late.
Silvana Sangiuliano,
Belwood