Councillor pushes for ward to opt out on pot

Councillor Jim Karygiannis plans to introduce a motion on Thursday to allow wards within the City of Toronto to opt out of allowing cannabis retailers and medical marijuana dispensaries to open up shop.

“Cities can opt out so wards should be given the same opportunity,” said Karygiannis (Ward 22, Scarborough-Agincourt), ahead of Thursday’s council meeting. There are 25 wards in the city.

Municipalities have until Jan. 22 to opt out of accepting private pot shops, which will be licensed and regulated by the province and will be permitted to operate in Ontario starting April 1. Mayor John Tory does not support cities opting out, but he said Monday he will be asking council to support a push for more powers for municipalities to control the locations of private cannabis retail stores.

Karygiannis said he would like to take it further because his constituents have told him they don’t want any pot shops at all.

“In my ward, during the campaign I heard loud and clear, that they don’t want it. There are areas in the city that want to be dry.”

“You had areas in the city that were dry from booze, the Junction I believe, so we should leave the opportunity to each ward, to its councillor, to opt out,” Karygiannis told the Star in an interview.

“If they want to be in, fine. My schools and my community clearly said to me that they don’t want it.”

Councillor Gord Perks (Ward 4, Parkdale High Park) said he wouldn’t support Karygiannis’ motion.

A city staff report recommended Toronto not opt out because provincially licensed and regulated stores would sell products sourced from federally inspected, licensed producers and adhere to federal health and safety standards.

“This is an important step toward achieving the objectives of protecting youth and combating the illegal market,” stated the report.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of the Attorney General said there is no provision in the legislation that would allow wards to opt out.