Newmarket council officially opts out of hosting cannabis stores

7-2 vote closes door to residents purchasing cannabis at local pot shops in Newmarket

Yorkregion.com
Jan 17, 2019
Teresa Latchford

Newmarket residents will have to look elsewhere if they want to buy pot from a retail store.

The Town of Newmarket held a special council meeting on Jan. 15, during which it ratified its decision to prohibit the operation of private retail cannabis stores within the municipality.

At the same time, Whitchurch-Stouffville decided to do the opposite.

Newmarket council chamber was packed with residents anticipating the final decision; five residents stepped to the microphone in one last attempt for views to be heard.

Newmarket residents won't be able to purchase cannabis from a storefront
At a meeting discussing the same issue earlier in the month, 20 deputations were given and 11 pieces of correspondence were received -- these were also attached to last night’s meeting agenda for council’s review.

At the earlier meeting, town staff’s recommendation to opt in was kicked to the curb -- and replaced with an alternative motion presented by Mayor John Taylor, which included opting out, watching how other opt in municipalities are impacted by the retail stores, crafting local enforcement bylaws and revisiting the matter in one year’s time.

Taylor referenced the number of “uncertainties” left by the province, especially when it comes to determining the location of the retail stores, as his main reason for supporting an opt out.

Not everyone supported what was on the table.

Ward 3 Coun. Jane Twinney believes that there are several positives to allowing retail stores -- including an industry that would create new jobs and new revenues for government, and undermine the illegal cannabis trade.

“As a municipality, we should be permitting our adult residents to have the choice to purchase a legal, safe product in an environment where they can also be well-educated,” she said. “There is an argument out there that there is too much uncertainty … I have to say welcome to the world where we are forever evolving and forever changing.”

Ward 7 Coun. Christina Bisanz encouraged council to be leaders in the matter.

The elements of the motion were split at the request of councillors who did not want to support opting out, but agreed with the other items listed in the motion.

The majority of council voted to opt out -- with only Twinney and Bisanz opposed.