Stouffville first York Region community to opt into cannabis stores

'Shame on mayor and councillors,' opponent says

Yorkregion.com
Jan 16, 2019
Lisa Queen

Whitchurch-Stouffville has become the only municipality in York Region so far to agree to allow cannabis stores.

Following a public consultation process that included three meetings and an online survey, council made the surprise move at a special meeting Jan. 15.

Only Counc. Maurice Smith voted against allowing the retail outlets, although he said he accepts council’s decision.

The town won’t be getting a store immediately because it has a population of less than 50,000, the threshold set by the province for the first round of outlets.

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Municipalities have until Jan. 22 to tell the province if they are opting out of allowing cannabis stores.

Georgina votes Jan. 16 and Aurora votes Jan. 21.

All other York Region municipalities have opted out.

Most Whitchurch-Stouffville councillors argued they should allow a government-regulated store to sell legal and safe cannabis.

“Cannabis is legal and it’s not going away,” Counc. Rick Upton said, adding opting in will result in provincial funding for the town.

“Today, cannabis is very available anywhere, anytime you want it on the black market. This is one of my major concerns, on the black market, you don’t know what is in it, what it’s laced with.”

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Only yesterday, firefighters saved the lives of two people who overdosed on illegal fentanyl, Mayor Iain Lovatt said.

It’s hypocritical to accept liquor stores and grocery stores to sell legal and safe booze, but not to allow cannabis stores,  Counc. Richard Bartley said.

While pot shops are controversial now, in time they will be become accepted by society, much like Sunday shopping and other once-taboo issues, he said.

“Times change. Times are a-changing,” Bartley said.

But many residents said they are disappointed with council’s decision.

Wan Jian Hu, who last month presented councillors with a 300-name petition opposing cannabis stores, said she is leaving town and paying her property taxes in a municipality that won’t allow cannabis stores.

“I will move. I will live out of Stouffville. It is really disappointing. I’m really disappointed of this result,” she said, adding more people spoke against allowing pot shops than in favour at the town’s three public meeting.

“I will give up this town because the town gave us up. Shame on those councillors and the mayor.”

Resident Ming Liu is disappointed with council’s decision because he’s worried cannabis stores will compromise air quality.

Many residents were unaware of the town’s online survey and didn’t realize the vote was being held Jan. 15, he said.

According to the results of the town’s unscientific online survey, which gathered 1,488 votes from Dec. 13 to Jan. 4, 46.1 per cent oppose or strongly oppose a cannabis store, while 47.4 per cent support or strongly support one.

Governments should think carefully before making decisions that restrict individuals’ choices, Counc. Ken Ferdinands said.

“Having given this matter considerable thought, I believe it would be a mistake for a decision to be compelled by generational, cultural or religious biases,” he said.

“I believe the time has come to set aside prohibitional policies and permit the retail distribution of cannabis.”