Windsor-Essex county opts in: the impact it will have

By Max de Liberato

 

Several of towns in Windsor-Essex County have decided to allow cannabis retail stores.  The federal government gave provinces the responsibility for rolling out the sale of cannabis.

Essex town council member Chris Vander Doelen said a positive impact that comes from cannabis retail stores is the “small blip” of tax revenue each store will bring.  If the business is valued at $1 million then the town could see approximately another $1,000 in tax money. The more separate locations that open the more tax revenue can be collected by the town.

According to Vander Doelen, cannabis retail stores will open up job opportunities, roughly five to eight per location, most of which will be part time.

“(Jobs) which are always good in a small town where there are spouses at home raising kids where they have time for a part-time job but not for a full-time job,” said Vander Doelen.

A key argument against allowing retail stores was concern about youth access to cannabis.

Reported in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, there was a 27 per cent reduction in the number of adolescents with easy access to cannabis This study occurred shortly after some states in the U.S. legalized medicinal or recreational cannabis.

“Once there’s one viable, solid, reliable retail outlet, that will knock out probably 100 of those part time sales people (street vendors),” said Vander Doelen.

Municipalities allowing cannabis retail stores must meet all of the eligibility criteria set out in the Cannabis Licence Act, 2018 and its regulations.

LaSalle councilor Mark Carrick had this to say about their decision to opt out.

“It doesn’t make sense to opt in to something you don’t qualify for,” said Carrick. “We’re not in line, we’re not number 10 out of 20.”

Carrick said LaSalle does not qualify due to its small population of just over 30,000 people.  The minimum to qualify for a license was 50,000 residents.

“It is legal, so if that’s what people want, we’ll apply,” said Carrick, when asked about future changes to eligibility.

LaSalle can opt in at any time.

Vander Doelen said in December only he and one other council member were leaning towards opting in, but after pressure from constituents the vote passed unanimously.

Vander Doelen said there have been only 25 licenses issued in Ontario for cannabis retail stores.

“It’s an experiment and it will be really interesting to see how it turns out,” said Vander Doelen.