Municipalities must benefit from marijuana

Re: Peterborough deserves a voice on marijuana costs

Columnist David Goyette is correct when he wrote that “the legalization of marijuana could have a significant regulatory impact on city responsibilities in Peterborough.” In fact, the impact will be felt by all municipal governments.

Police officers will have to enforce new rules, and public health departments will launch education and awareness campaigns. Economic development departments may even have a role to play.

AMO is concerned about the cost of these services for all Ontario municipalities, including Peterborough. We put together the AMO Marijuana Legalization Task Force to make sure that municipal voices are heard by the federal government. Through our Task Force, AMO is calling for municipal licensing of growers and retailers so that local governments have influence over where the drug can be used, bought and sold in their communities.

We are also calling for a dedicated municipal tax to cover the cost of services related to legalization.

AMO is engaged with the Province of Ontario and the Government of Canada. We will continue to work toward a legalization model that considers municipal impacts and opportunities. As a member of AMO, the City of Peterborough benefits from this work.

Lynn Dollin President, Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO)