ABERFOYLE – Puslinch Township has decided to allow local cannabis retail stores.
However, council wants the province to provide direct notification of retail licence applications and to establish a buffer zone to prohibit sales within 150 metres of locations where youth gather.
On Jan. 9 Centre Wellington resident Silvana Sangiuliano, who has visited various Wellington municipalities to object to cannabis legalization and the possibility of local stores, presented her case to Puslinch council.
“Lack of thought and foresight in the rush to make marijuana legal has created chaos,” said Sangiuliano.
She asked council to “declare a smoke-free environment in public spaces” to implement bylaws “prohibiting the growing of cannabis anywhere” and “to ban marijuana edibles.”
While the latter two requests are likely not possible, Sangiuliano nonetheless asked Puslinch to join other Wellington County municipalities that have chosen to opt out of cannabis sales.
Council then reviewed staff reports on a public meeting last month and on the retail cannabis issue.
During the public meeting, Joseph Hutter provided information on recreational cannabis and enforcement and stated it makes sense to opt in.
Manfred Ganning asked what the community gains by opting in.
Vinnie Klimkosz indicated he does not think opting in will cause any problems and he suggested the township watch to see what the City of Guelph does (Guelph has since opted in).
Steve Dorgo advised the township has a prime economic location for retail sales of cannabis.
Rob Stark requested the convenience of retail cannabis for medical reasons be considered.
The township asked the province to amend the process in order to provide direct notice to the municipality regarding retail cannabis licence applications, similar to the process used for zoning, planning, building and liquor licence applications.
Councillor John Sepulis recommended requesting a 150-metre buffer zone around areas where youth congregate, such as soccer fields, arenas and rec centres.
Councillors Ken Roth and Matthew Bulmer agreed with the suggestion of a 150-metre buffer.
Councillor Jessica Goyda asked, “Do we have a process to determine whether applications have been received within our township?”
Deputy clerk Nina Lecic said staff would, for the time being, check the provincial website on a daily basis.
And if the province chooses not to change its notification process to municipalities, Lecic would create a process to check on daily basis.
“Is there any other product which is legal to sell in Canada which is prohibited for sale within the township boundaries?” Goyda asked.
“No, there is not,” Lecic said.
Goyda stated, “I’ve been really on the fence on this and lost a lot of sleep because of this.” She added, “The effects of cannabis are undeniable, but the fact of the matter is that’s not really what we are deciding.”
Goyda continued, “I think opting out promotes traditional approaches of obtaining marijuana illegally and encourages them to go to supplies which have risk of contamination.”
Noting cigarettes and alcohol have negative impacts yet are legal, she said, “There is no rational reason to suggest this is any different.”
Bulmer noted the first round of licences is limited to populations of greater than 50,000 “so I think staff have some time and can take comfort that none of those first 25 licences will be coming here.” Because of that, the township has time to develop a local policy framework.
Mayor James Seeley said there is also a lottery system in the distribution of those first licences, with the majority going to Toronto.
“It is highly unlikely we will see a store initially, so we have the time to develop policies,” said Seeley, who agreed with the need for a buffer area.
Council voted unanimously to opt in, with the resolution amended to request direct notification of local licence applications and that a 150-metre buffer area be established around areas where youth gather.
