Paula Fletcher will ask city council on Tuesday to request that the Ontario government hit pause on new cannabis retail licences for a year, or until a private member’s bill on the issue becomes law.
The private member’s bill, Bill 29, Cannabis Licence Amendment Act, 2021, would allow municipalities to have more say on where and how many cannabis licences can be issued.
Wong-Tam, who represents Ward 13, Toronto Centre, said on Sunday that her constituents are concerned about the number of cannabis stores in their neighbourhoods and she is concerned about the lack of control that city council has over where they are located.
There is less diversity of retail because of the concentration and proliferation of cannabis shops, she said.
“It’s been a very fast, rapid number of stores that have opened.
And so that means that we’re seeing less variety and diversity in the number of retailers.
People live and work in neighbourhoods where there are a lot of cannabis shops, she noted.
“We’re hearing from operators and retailers across the city, small mom and pop shops, whether it’s on the Danforth or Queen Street West, saying that they can’t compete with the high profitability of cannabis stores.
According to the item to be considered by council on Tuesday, municipalities are allowed feedback on the sale of controlled substances through the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario .
Stiles, who represents Davenport, said she is encouraged that the city may endorse her bill and thinks that support will help to convince the province that communities need a larger voice in where the pot shops are located.
And I do think that, to some extent, natural market forces will reduce the numbers and the concentration we’re seeing now,” Stiles said.
Vassos, however, said the city can take action by shutting down illegal or non-licensed retailers.