Kapuskasing is going to do its due diligence when it comes to retail cannabis.
Council has decided that it is in the town’s best interest to find out further information regarding the Ontario Cannabis Legalization process when it comes to having retail cannabis stores in the community.
Chair of Planning and Corporate Services Ken Munnoch mentioned during a recent council meeting that he wanted to see further information regarding zoning by-laws and how much control the municipality would have other the placement of stores.
Mayor Dave Plourde and Chair of Recreation and Health Sebastien Lessard mentioned that if the community chooses to opt out of allowing stores by January 22nd then they will forfeit $5,000 in funding.
A letter from the province signed by Minister of Finance Vic Fedeli has promised $5,000 in funding by early January to all municipalities to help with legalization plans, followed by another $5,000 in funding to come after January 22nd for those municipalities that have chosen to opt-in.
If council chooses to opt-out, they still will have an opportunity to opt-in at a later date but this will affect access to funding from the province for their legalization process.
Kapuskasing must relay its final decision on the subject by mid-January to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.
Council plans to meet next on January 7th with hopes of coming back with a final decision.
