North Grenville Council voted in favour of cannabis retail sales. The final decision was held last night. Councillor Craig McCormick was the only one to oppose the decision.
Council gathered community input prior to the vote. Over 1,000 people took part in the online survey. Council also held two public meetings to discuss the matter.
Mayor Nancy Peckford says the feedback results were clear. She says 80 per cent of residents who took part in the survey were in favour of cannabis retail sales.
Pot shops won’t be opening locally anytime soon. CAO Brian Carré explained that only communities with a population of 50,000 or more qualified for the cannabis retail lottery held last week. A total of 25 licenses were handed out to open by April 1. The cap will be lifted on December 13, paving the wave for establishments in North Grenville.
Councillor John Barclay says the process was educational. Â
The municipality is now eligible for federal excise dollars stemming from cannabis sales.