Town proposes one-stop pot shop

Making a pitch for government-run cannabis store for Alberton

Alberton Town Council is making a pitch to the provincial government for a governmentoperated cannabis store. Mayor Michael Murphy brought up the idea during the January meeting of council and recommended the town apply. “It’s economic development; it’s no different than a liquor store,” the mayor reasoned. Council backed the recommendation unanimously. Councillors did question, however, whether a cannabis store really needs to be a freestanding facility.

“I don’t believe it should be a separate building,” Councillor Alan Curtis stated. Councillor Blair Duggan noted the town has an aging liquor store that needs replacing, and Murphy suggested the province could put up one building to house both services. But Duggan had even bigger ideas. He said the Access P.E.I. building in Alberton is in need of an update, too. He suggested a strip-mall-type building to house all three entities. The town will add that proposal to its request.

ERIC MCCARTHY/JOURNAL PIONEER Alberton Town Councillor Blair Duggan wants the provincial government to enhance its presence in town by replacing its existing Access P.E.I. and liquor store facilities with new facilities.