SHUNIAH, Ont. -- Mayor Wendy Landry says if the Municipality of Shuniah opts into having a cannabis store, the municipality should keep all of the revenue that comes with it.
“They should be able to receive 100 per cent of the revenue because they are taking on 100 per cent of the social issues,” Landry told tbnewswatch.com on Tuesday, a day after the provincial government announced it would privatize cannabis sales once the drug becomes legal on Oct. 17.
Municipalities are being given a one-time chance to decide whether they want physical marijuana stores within their boundaries.
Landry said council hasn’t made a decision yet, but she is pleased with the province’s decision.
“I think being the subject matter, and being experts of their own backyards, they should have that option,” she said.
Although physical pot sales through the government-regulated Ontario Cannabis Store won’t be available until April, Canadians 19 and older will be able to purchase legal weed from the OCS website the day its legalized.
On April 1, a private retail model will be established as the model for what physical pot shops will look like.
Landry said Shuniah’s board will have the ability to discuss the matter at the Association of Municipalities conference in Ottawa later this month.
