Private pot stores have mayors of Essex County wanting consultations

Mayors across Essex County have to consider the potential of selling pot in their community's retail stores now that Ontario's Progressive Conservative government is allowing it after Monday's announcement.

And when the mayors attend the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) conference next week, they believe it will be a heavily-discussed issue.

"I'm not shutting any doors," said Tecumseh mayor Gary McNamara. He said back in the day it was a dry community and restaurants couldn't sell any alcohol, which has since changed.

"People in Tecumseh did enjoy a glass of wine or a bottle of beer," he said. And there's an "opportunity to have that open discussion to see if it makes sense" to sell marijuana in the community.

Online sales will start Oct. 17, regulated through the province's Ontario Cannabis Store.

However, the mayor and past president of AMO wants to see some of that pot money flowing back to the municipality.

"It's the municipalities that share the heavy burden," said McNamara, who is acclaimed in the upcoming October election. "There's an opportunity for a revenue share to come to the municipality."

He pointed to local police enforcement, property standard maintenance and social impact management as things that could be affected. And if some of the taxes collected on pot sales could go back to the municipality, it would help lift those burdens.

What it comes down to is having more consultations with municipalities, said McNamara.

One-time window to opt out

And the mayor of Amherstburg would agree those consultations need to take place before making decisions.

Aldo DiCarlo, mayor of Amherstburg, said the municipality received three phone calls immediately after the announcement asking about storefront licenses.

"It's an issue that I am sure there is going to be people passionate about both sides," DiCarlo said.

The government announced there would be a "one-time window" following municipal elections taking place across the province this fall during which newly-elected councillors will have the option to opt-out of allowing sales in physical stores in their area.

For LaSalle's mayor Ken Antaya, not seeking re-election, he doesn't see an issue but said the municipality needs more information to make informed decisions.

"I think we could do it effectively and in accordance of provincial guidelines. We do a lot of things in accordance to provincial guidelines," Antaya said.

He said the decision to sell or not will ultimately be up to council once administration makes a recommendation.

Over in Kingsville, the community seems ready to embrace the green leaf.

Acclaimed mayor Nelson Santos said the municipality has nine applications submitted to the government for medical marijuana greenhouses in Kingsville, but they need to make sure it's safe overall for the community.

"Our community is supportive of that. It's just a matter of how much is too much."