Burlington mayor looks to expand sale and consumption of cannabis

Published February 25, 2020 at 6:43 pm

Burlington mayor looks to expand sale and consumption of cannabis

With the Government of Ontario exploring the expansion of sale and consumption of cannabis, Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward recommended a resolution to council that would open the door for esta

With the Government of Ontario exploring the expansion of sale and consumption of cannabis, Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward recommended a resolution to council that would open the door for establishments such as cannabis lounges and cafés to operate in the City.

The City of Burlington conducted a public survey between Feb. 14 and Feb. 23 seeking input on the future of cannabis sale and use in consumption venues, as well as public events such as outdoor festivals and concerts.

Based on 969 respondents, 50 per cent were in favour of allowing the sale and consumption of cannabis in places like cannabis lounges and cafés (5 percent undecided, 45 percent not in favour); 57 per cent were not in favour of allowing the sale and consumption of cannabis at festivals and events such as music or food festivals, etc. (3 per cent undecided, 40 per cent in favour).

Meanwhile, 67 per cent felt that municipalities should be able to decide and govern the sale and consumption of cannabis in cafés and lounges (11 per cent undecided, 23 per cent not in favour); 72 per cent felt that municipalities should be able to decide/govern the sale and consumption of cannabis at special events (7 per cent undecided, 21 per cent not in favour).

As a result, Meed Ward recommended that the City of Burlington be “open to the sale and consumption of edible cannabis products in additional locations such as cannabis lounges so long as these locations do not also permit the sale and consumption of alcohol nor conflict with our existing distance criteria for retail cannabis store locations”.

Ward, however, recommends that the City “not support the sale or consumption of any cannabis products in public spaces or at public events such as outdoor festivals and concerts” while asking the Provincial Government to allow municipalities to make their own local decisions on these matters and permissions.

Mayor Marianne Meed Ward is looking to push the vote on the recommendation to the Special Meeting of Council on March 9 to give council members more time to discuss the City’s position.

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