Approve legal pot shops, local councils advised

Reports to Kitchener, Cambridge and Waterloo support retail outlets

WATERLOO REGION — Three city councils are hearing the same professional advice from their senior bureaucrats — don’t ban pot shops.

The message to politicians is that approving pot shops is safer, better for consumers and youth, and creates jobs.

A ban promotes the black market for illegal drugs, creating a bigger impact on police and bylaw enforcement.

Kitchener, Cambridge and Waterloo councils vote Monday and Tuesday to allow or reject legal cannabis storefronts.

With marijuana legalized it’s their only opportunity to forbid storefront sales, based on provincial rules.

Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic will follow staff advice and support pot shops.

“It’s legal now,” he said. “The reality is that regardless of what we do, cannabis will be sold online, will be sold in adjoining municipalities, and will be consumed in our communities.

“If we want to focus on the legal market of consuming cannabis, versus the black market that we’re trying to stop, then I think this is a direction we need to go.”

A ban would force consumers to buy legal pot elsewhere or order it online, unless a council later reverses itself to allow pot shops. A city that approves shops can’t ban them later.

Here are highlights from reports going to council.

• A report to Kitchener council says “cannabis is now a legal substance, similar to alcohol and tobacco, and should not be treated differently.”

• A report to Waterloo council says “permitting cannabis retail stores provides a safe and regulated source of cannabis that does not support organized crime, and limits exposure to youth at the retail level.”

• A report to Cambridge council warns that banning storefronts “would not support the objectives to protect youth (and) public safety, and prevent illicit activities.”

Ottawa and Toronto have said yes to licensed pot shops. Mississauga and Markham have said no.

Councils have until Jan. 22 to decide, by provincial rules.

“I’m always open to new information,” Waterloo Mayor Dave Jaworsky said Friday, after previously endorsing licensed storefronts.

The Region of Waterloo has encouraged local councils to avoid a patchwork of regulations.

Wellesley council is the first municipality in the region to approve pot shops. The rural township is too small to qualify for the first stores under provincial rules.

Kitchener and Waterloo councils vote Monday. Cambridge council votes Tuesday.

Ontario planned to choose seven cannabis stores across Western Ontario by lottery on Friday and post the results on Saturday. Stores are expected to open in April if conditions are met.

This region is expected to have at least one storefront, with more to come within 18 months as cannabis supplies increase.

Chief Bryan Larkin is registered to tell Waterloo council Monday that Waterloo Regional Police support legal pot shops.

A council that allows pot shops has little say on locations. That decision is up to the province’s alcohol and gaming commission, which is responsible for approving sites and for enforcement.

Provincial regulations say retail cannabis stores must be at least 150 metres from schools and must refuse entry to anyone younger than 19. Stores may operate daily between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m.