You may not be able to smoke out any pot shops in York Region come April

Politicians around the region generally not high on idea of hosting private shops

Yorkregion.com
August 15, 2018
Tim Kelly

You might have a tough time going to pot in York Region when private shops are allowed to sell the drug legally starting next April.

A survey by York Region Media Group of municipal regional leaders reveals a majority aren’t interested in hosting private marijuana stores when the provincial government allows sales April 1, 2019.

Before that time, the province is allowing municipalities an opportunity to opt out of hosting private cannabis stores.

That differs from the previous Liberal government’s policy of having marijuana sold in a select number of government-run shops and in selected municipalities, of which Vaughan was an initial choice.

With the June 7 election of a Progressive Conservative majority government under Doug Ford, the rules on cannabis have now shifted, and private sales will be the norm going forward.

As of Oct. 17, when cannabis becomes legal for those 19 and older in Ontario, the drug will only be for sale online. That is, until April 1 when shops will be allowed to open.

But what chance will you have to walk into a neighbourhood stores in a York Region municipality and buy a gram of bud? We decided to find out.

Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti, who had previously said his municipality had no interest in being a willing host to a government-run marijuana store, hasn’t changed his mind under the new rules.

“When the proposed legislation is passed, the city of Markham will be opting out (of hosting a private pot shop),” said Scarpitti.

Richmond Hill Mayor Dave Barrow, whose municipality also previously said no, was in step with Scarpitti.

“The majority of comment that we received was that our town was not interested in a retail outlet at all. Council stated that we were not a willing host at that time, and I expect that the option to opt out will be the choice we make when the province provides the ability to do so,” Barrow said.

King Township Mayor Steve Pellegrini seemed to be down on the idea.

“I’m not a big advocate for the sales in King. That said, we need to understand the legislation,” he said.

For Aurora Mayor Geoff Dawe, the issue is still too cloudy to come up with an answer, but he is leaning toward opting out.

“There are still too many questions surrounding the rules left unanswered to support one being here,” he said. “I haven’t seen the benefit for the town.”

East Gwillimbury Coun. Tara Roy-DiClemente said she worries “about community safety, enforcement and regulation and … a reliable retail system to protect residents. Otherwise, we’re simply driving sales into an illegal market with products of uncertain quality, further compounding the concerns about safety and enforcement.”

However, there was a glimmer of hope in a couple of York Region municipalities for those who want to buy pot next April.

Stouffville Ward 1 Coun. Ken Ferdinands said, like prior opposition in the township to tattoo parlours, opposition to pot shops would likely be futile.

“Ultimately the attempt failed … to place a prohibition on tattoo parlours on Main Street. Marijuana will be legal and available online. There will townsfolk who will object to making the product available locally. I am not interested in swimming against the current,” he said.

And though Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua was cautious and measured in his response -- he doesn’t expect Vaughan council to make a decision on whether to opt in or out until the new year when a new council is in place -- he opened the door for Vaughan to opt in.

“I do think the province has done the right thing. Funding allocated toward enforcement and bylaw enforcement of $40 million, the change from 18 to 19 years of age to bring it in line with alcohol use, is very important. The province tax-sharing model may be something municipalities look at favourably. After $100 million in tax revenues, 50 per cent will go to municipalities, as well. These are the proper measures being taken by the province,” said Bevilacqua.

Representatives from the towns of Newmarket and Georgina could not be reached for comment by deadline.