Responsibleplan.ca : opting out of private cannabis stores

www.responsibleplan.ca

Dear candidate,

On behalf of Georgia Chilas ( and of many others) , we are forwarding this concerned message about private cannabis stores.

Dear Municipal Candidate:

The issue of cannabis sales is of great importance to me. I want to ensure that my loved ones and my community are shielded, to the greatest extent possible, from the negative impacts of private, for-profit cannabis sales.

I am very concerned that private cannabis entrepreneurs will be strongly tempted to look the other way when selling to underage youth and intoxicated persons in order to maximize profits. Enforcement is expensive and is limited.

Furthermore, the province has removed any cap on the number of cannabis stores. How will municipalities, particularly those already struggling financially, be able to enforce the regulations?

As you know, the Ontario government has given municipalities until January 22, 2019, to opt out of private cannabis stores. If they don’t opt out by then, they will have to accept as many cannabis stores as the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario chooses – with no say in the matter.

If you’re elected, I urge you to opt out of private cannabis stores immediately. This will give you time to evaluate the impact on municipalities that have opted in. If they are struggling with financial and social costs, you can choose to continue to opt out and help spare our people from those negative impacts.

I also propose a better, safer and more responsible way to sell cannabis. A recent Nanos poll indicates that Ontarians are 11 times more likely to trust the LCBO to sell cannabis than private retailers. That’s because of the LCBO’s long and proven track record when it comes to selling alcohol responsibly.

Furthermore, Ontarians are almost four times more likely to think the LCBO would generate more public revenue from the sale of cannabis than private stores. I think so, too. I want the profits from cannabis sales to go towards building up our hospitals, schools and infrastructure.

That’s why I ask you to do the right thing before making any decision to opt in. Consult extensively with residents and businesses. Find out what they think is best for the community. Take your time to see how private cannabis stores impact municipalities that have opted in.

Furthermore, I ask that council pass a motion demanding the LCBO option. It doesn’t require bricks and mortar. A part of the existing LCBOs can be sectioned off for cannabis sales. Residents will be able to sleep more soundly knowing that the wild west of cannabis has not overrun their community.

As an elected representative, your number-one responsibility is to look to the security and well-being of the residents of this municipality. I strongly believe that the private, for-profit cannabis retail model threatens the safety and stability of our community. The best way forward is clear: opt out of private pot shops now and demand that the government offer the proven, trusted option – the responsible public option.

I await your early reply.

Georgia Chilas Toronto, City of

info@responsibleplan.ca OPSEU 100 Lesmill Rd. Toronto, ON M3B 3P8