Should Georgina allow retail cannabis stores?
On Jan. 16, Georgina Council voted to opt out of allowing retail cannabis stores in the community. In a recorded vote, it was 4-3 in favour of opting out.
The Federal Government legalized recreational cannabis use across Canada on Oct. 17, 2018. Municipalities in Ontario have until Jan. 22, 2019 to opt out of allowing retail cannabis stores within a town.
Ontario’s Ministry of the Attorney General is currently drafting regulations for private retail sales, and the province will release their plan for cannabis retail models on April 1, 2019. Ontario cannabis stores will be privately owned and operated and will be licensed by the Alcohol Gaming Commission of Ontario.
Regardless of Council’s decision, cannabis use will still occur in the community. The province has prohibited smoking or vaping cannabis anywhere that smoking tobacco is not allowed by provincial law - including enclosed public places, workplaces, and near playgrounds, schools or daycares.
Council reports
General cannabis information report - Dec. 12, 2018
Additional Information
More information about cannabis legislation:
York Region: www.york.ca/cannabisinfo
Government of Ontario: www.ontario.ca/cannabis
Government of Canada: www.canada.ca/cannabis
Frequently Asked Questions
Not at this time.
As of Oct. 17, 2018, the Ontario Cannabis Store website is the only legal option for purchasing recreational cannabis and is only available for individuals 19 years of age and older. Visit ontario.ca/cannabis for more information.
Georgina Town Council will make a decision on allowing retail cannabis locations in Georgina in January 2019. We are looking for community input and Georgina residents are invited to complete a retail cannabis survey between Dec. 20, 2018 and Jan. 11, 2019. The survey will be available online, and copies will be available at community locations.
Ontario has new rules governing where it is appropriate to use recreational cannabis.
Information on places where recreational cannabis can and cannot be used, can be found on the Government of Ontario’s website ontario.ca/cannabis
Enforcement for non-criminal use such as public consumption and violations to the Smoke-Free Ontario Act falls within the jurisdiction of York Region Public Health.
York Regional Police are responsible for enforcing impaired driving, cultivation limits, possession limits and transportation of cannabis in vehicles.
For more information contact:
York Region: 1-877-464-9675
York Regional Police non-emergency line: 1-866-876-5423