51% of Hatters approve of legal weed
City survey’s final results show concerns about cannabis centre around how and where it will be used
The community is fairly split on how it would like to see the legalization of cannabis handled in Medicine Hat, requiring a fine balance for council to tread.
“We have to look at both sides and see what the issues are,” said Coun. Brian Varga, chair of the municipal planning commission, which was presented Thursday with the results of a public survey around cannabis use in the community. “We have to be a voice for the ‘no’ people also.”
A little more than half of survey participants (51 per cent) agree with the federal government’s decision to legalize nonmedical cannabis, while 39 per cent disagree and 10 per cent are neutral.
The top concerns expressed related to — in order — impaired driving, public smoking, public health, workplace safety, odour from cannabis, location of cannabis retail stores, related crime and neighbours growing or smoking cannabis.
Positioning of retail cannabis stores was a concern for 67 per cent of survey participants, and 65 per cent thought they should not be allowed within 200 metres of schools, community centres, parks and playgrounds. The potential for the “clustering of cannabis stores” was a concern for 76 per cent.
A total of 7,119 surveys were completed, indicating a roughly 11 per cent participation rate based on the population of Medicine Hat as recorded by Statistics Canada in 2016. A Calgary survey on the same subject attracted a one per cent response rate, said Jim Genge, senior planner with planning and development services.
“Listening to over 10 per cent of the population, in terms of their feelings, is a significant number,” said Coun. Darren Hirsch, a member of the committee. “So I think it will guide us in terms of a foundational document for us to make some good decisions.”
When it comes to rules around the consumption of cannabis, 41 per cent felt it should be allowed where tobacco consumption is allowed. A total of 5,448 participants think users should be allowed to consume in their backyards, 4,510 feel it would be acceptable on a porch or balcony, and 2,168 think it would be acceptable at an outdoor concert or festival. Those in favour of consumption “while walking down the street” were 1,468, and those in favour of consumption in a public park were 1,238.
Of those who completed the survey, 89 per cent indicated they reside in the community and 44 per cent had children under the age of 18. The largest demographic of participants, 47 per cent, was between the ages of 25 and 44.
Sentiments that have emerged in the survey are particularly clear in terms of the location of retail cannabis stores, said Hirsch.
One approach for council to take in terms of bylaws would be one of caution, and to then make incremental changes as appropriate, said Genge. A decade down the road public opinion may be significantly different to what it is today.
Hirsch says it is council’s job to anticipate the worst-case scenario and make appropriate decisions for that.
Council will be considering the survey and recommendations from the city regarding where cannabis consumption will be allowed, and restrictions on the location of retail outlets before making a decision. The approach to take will likely be known by July, suggested Genge. A draft of possible rules could be presented to the municipal planning commission meeting in early May.
“I am very comfortable in terms of making sure that the legislation we provide is going to be well in advance of any federal legislation,” said Hirsch. “We will be ready.”