Dysart et al is joining the other municipalities in allowing pot retailers in the municipality.
Just like the three other municipalities in Haliburton County, Dysart et al have voted to opt-in to allow the sale of recreational marijuana in stores.
The decision was met with some contention as councillors Walt McKechnie and John Smith noted for the record that they were voting no on the resolution. McKechnie felt the impact on children and teens was something that needed further research and generally speaking municipalities are rushing into this decision. Smith felt the decision could be held off until the January 22nd council meeting to coincide with the deadline to opt-in or out. Smith also noted that councillors received a note from doctors asking them to opt-out. As well, Smith felt the idea of having a pot store right downtown or in a former church that has been rezoned for commercial use could be problematic.
Ultimately, the feedback of both councillors was noted but through a vote, the resolution approving retailers to operate in Dysart et al was passed. Tamara Wilbee the Chief Administrative Officer for Dysart, said if the municipality opts out to discuss further and opt-in in the future they lose out on the funding being given to those that opt-in. She also said opting-in can create economic development in a variety of ways, like edible shops, cannabis tourism, skin creams, medical research as well as hemp production and product development. Wilbee noted that a cannabis production facility was built in the industrial park in Haliburton built in accordance with Health Canada for the production of Medical Marijuana.
According to Wilbee, all of the municipalities have been working in tandem to create policies that are similar across the county. With the policies in place, the municipalities have the ability to let the potential store owner know of sensitive areas like schools, the youth hub or point in time. Deputy Mayor, Patrick Kennedy, urged that parks be added to the list of locations marked as sensitive.
Although the municipality has opted-in, the Government of Ontario announced that only 25 licenses will be given out across the province.
