'We have to protect everyone': York Region politicians restrict cannabis

Marijuana is a 'sacred plant,' Newmarket head shop sale associate says

Yorkregion.com
October 31, 2018
Lisa Queen

As MJ (Mary Jane) Fields looked forward to Canada’s legalization of cannabis on Oct. 17, she was hoping communities across the country would embrace a liberal approach to pot.

She’s disappointed York Region municipalities seem to be leaning more towards a reefer madness mentality than a permissive path.

Already, Markham, Richmond Hill and King Township have banned smoking marijuana in public places such as parks, parking lots, sidewalks, trails and shopping malls.

They have also prohibited the sale of cannabis.

Other municipalities are considering the similar conservative stands.

“I don’t like how some cities are being very restrictive. I personally think it (cannabis) is really safe,” Fields said.

“I don’t understand why they treat it so bad when it’s really more of a healing and a sacred plant rather than it’s a drug and it’s still seen in a negative light. But that has to do with a lot of the brainwashing from the older generation.”

The 22-year-old -- who is known as MJ Fields, although it’s not her legal name -- is a sales associate at Newmarket’s Happy Dayz.

The store, which sells water pipes, scales, rolling papers and vaporizers and is considering applying for a licence to sell marijuana, also has locations in Richmond Hill and other southern Ontario communities.

Under provincial legislation, adults 19 years of age and older are allowed to smoke pot anywhere smoking a cigarette is permitted.

However, the province gave municipalities the ability to adopt more restrictive bylaws.

On Oct. 16, Markham became the first municipality in the Greater Toronto Area to ban smoking pot in all public spaces.

The city had already prohibited cannabis dispensaries.

Coun. Nirmala Armstrong wanted to go even further by banning residents from smoking pot in their homes, although that didn’t pass.

It will be up to York Regional Police to enforce its new bylaw but Const. Andy Pattenden said ticketing people smoking marijuana in public places is not a priority.

Richmond Hill and King Township soon followed in Markham’s footsteps.

“I think we have to protect everyone right off the bat,” Richmond Hill Mayor Dave Barrow said, although he recognized residents’ rights to legally obtain and use cannabis.

"This bylaw is the wise thing to do. The health and safety of our community is of utmost importance. The key will be public education.”

Following the Oct. 22 municipal elections, incoming councils, which are not yet sworn in, will have to tackle the issue quickly.

Municipalities have until Jan. 22 to decide if they want to opt out of allowing cannabis to be sold in their jurisdictions.

Fields questioned why municipalities would opt out, arguing sales would generate business.

But many York politicians are distancing themselves from cannabis use and sales in their communities.

East Gwillimbury Mayor Virginia Hackson, chair of the York Region police services board, hopes the incoming council will reiterate the town’s opposition to hosting cannabis outlets.

She will invite police officers to talk to councillors about the pros and cons of marijuana.

Newmarket will have three special meetings in December, including a public consultation session, to discuss cannabis, Mayor-elect John Taylor said.

“My gut instinct right now is we need to slow it down and maybe opt out (of allowing dispensaries) and restrict things as much as we can for one year and have staff come back with a report in one year, revisit it all and go ‘Now we know a lot more, now we’ve seen what has happened in other communities, now we can make more informed decisions,’” he said.

Vaughan is preparing a report on the use of cannabis in the community

“It’s about what people can tolerate,” Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua said.

“Personally, I do not favour smoking in public places. But you also have to respect present laws. Public input is extremely important, this is a major change.”

Georgina Mayor Margaret Quirk said the town is preparing a report to address the many questions surrounding the use and sale of cannabis. 

During a debate during the municipal campaign, Whitchurch-Stouffville Mayor-elect Iain Lovatt said there is little economic benefit to allowing a cannabis dispensary.

“Until we actually get more information from the province making a decision or a statement right now is actually not in our best interest because we are just placating the issue,” he said.

Aurora Mayor-elect Tom Mrakas is waiting to see how his new council will tackle the issue.

“It’s not just my decision to make,” he said. “Council will have to discuss our options and decide what is best for the community.”

York Region isn’t the only place where politicians aren’t rushing to embrace cannabis.

Bradford West Gwillimbury Mayor Rob Keffer wants to take a look at how other neighbouring municipalities are handling the issue.

But many residents have said they want a cannabis-free community.

“We heard that quite a lot,” Keffer said. “Residents don’t want it sold here.”