Retail pot: Don’t opt out of Hamilton’s future

Council on the verge of passing up a historic economic and tourism opportunity

Here we are, Hamilton. Post-legalization, still arguing about cannabis shops. Since I opened the Medicine Cabinet (Hamilton’s first dispensary) in March of 2016, Hamilton has exploded with retail cannabis stores. They have been raided by police, fined by the city, robbed, victimized by arson, and worse. Through all of these hurdles, the stores remain uncontrolled, unregulated, and seemingly unstoppable. The reason: The market is enormous and so is the revenue.

As my career progressed, I opened the Cannabis Culture at 275 King St. E., in Hamilton. On average at our one downtown location we served over 700 people a day. Seven hundred people coming to the International BIA to spend their hard-earned money at a local business and then going across the street to Denninger’s for lunch. Later, shopping next door at the Vintage Soul Geek. The Village was bustling.

Hamilton is known as the cannabis capital of Ontario to enthusiasts. People come to the city from all across this province, from Niagara to Mississauga, multiple times a week. Folks come here to experience the front lines of modern cannabis culture. Why on earth would councillors risk letting neighbouring municipalities get a piece of Hamilton’s glory?

The Ontario government has opened up a private market for the people. No, the regulations are not perfect. But they are a start. Here I am, a former dispensary owner with a shuttered store, praising regulation in the hopes of a brighter future. For 10 years I have dreamed of legalization and legitimization, and now the future lies in city hall’s hands.

I have estimated the City Of Hamilton has spent $1.5 million in the last two years fighting dispensaries. The provincial government has $40 million to grant to municipalities that choose to opt-in. Around $1.6 million is allocated to Hamilton.

Hamilton had more dispensaries per capita than any other city in Canada. Some are “concerned with a large number of cannabis outlets” — well, that is already an issue! The city faces this dilemma already with the unregulated market! However, when it comes to legal shops, there is a 15-day period referred to as a “requirement of public notice,” where the municipality and public can provide input. That’s right — the people can have their say when it comes to regulated shops, and council should give them that chance by opting in. The government’s own rules dictate that “the AGCO (Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario), once it receives applications, will be required to issue a public notice, open for a 15 day period, for public and municipal input about a proposed store location.” Responsible operators would not sell to a minor to make a quick buck — not only would they risk serious charges, but also their licence to carry on business. After thousands of dollars invested into the process to apply through the AGCO and the province, why would they risk it? There is no concern about convenience stores selling tobacco to minors for the same reasons. The LCBO and local grocers are not selling liquor to underage patrons for the exact same reasons — their licence is worth more than a quick buck. Some of the above-mentioned businesses are near schools as well and yet no intoxicated children are menacing neighbourhoods.

I understand the retail rollout is not perfect, but it is progress. Consider cannabis as your caped crusader coming to raise Hamilton out of the steel wharfs, and into the future: a future of tourism and retail. Abandoned commercial buildings shall shine with a new purpose. It will bring hundreds, if not thousands, of legal jobs to the city and put money in Hamiltonians’ pockets. It is my wish that councillors “opt-in” to cannabis retail because some control is better than none. I urge council to “opt-in” to Hamilton’s future.