Should retail cannabis stores be allowed in Greater Sudbury? Weed like to hear from you!

Recreational use of cannabis became legal in Canada on October 17, 2018. In Ontario, we have new laws that tell us how, where and who can buy and have cannabis:

- You must be 19 years of age and older to buy, use, possess and grow recreational cannabis;
- Cannabis can only be purchased through the online Ontario Cannabis Store;
- The use of cannabis is permitted where ever tobacco use is permitted;
- You are able to have a maximum of 30 grams of dried cannabis on you, in public;
- You are able to grow up to four plants in your home;

Regulations for private retail sales are currently being drafted by Ontario’s Ministry of the Attorney General. These regulations are anticipated to be in place for April 1, 2019. Retail stores will be authorized and licensed by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

Municipalities are being offered the opportunity to opt out of having a retail store in their community and must so by January 22, 2019. Municipalities may opt in at a later date. If a municipality decides to opt in, they cannot chose to opt out at a later date.

Residents are invited to take part in a short survey related to local retail cannabis stores. The survey is available at Over to You. Comments will be accepted until November 30. The information collected will help City Council decide how to approach local retail stores for recreational cannabis.

During the month of December, the City will conduct more polling so that additional information can be compiled and reported to Council. A final report, with all feedback collected, will be presented to City Council on January 15, 2019.

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