Town of Pelham opts out of retail cannabis

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 23, 2019

Pelham, ON – The Town of Pelham has opted out of retail cannabis.

The decision was made on January 21, 2019, at the Town of Pelham’s regularly scheduled meeting of Council; one day before the provincial deadline for municipalities to opt in or out.  

At a special meeting a week prior, director of community planning and development Barb Wiens outlined the regulations and processes for retail operations, and recounted the feedback from the public through an online survey. The results of the survey coincided with Council’s decision to opt out, with 55% favouring opting out, 42% favouring opting in, and 3% percent unsure.

“This was an important issue for our residents; it was brought up many times when this Council was on the campaign trail,” said Mayor Marvin Junkin. “This is something our residents did not want and they spoke loud and clear about it. I am appreciative that Council has done the same,  unanimously voting against something the majority of our residents were opposed to.”

Opting out of retail cannabis stores, however, does not mean Pelham is exempt from cannabis in general. Deliveries from online retailers, consumption, and personal growing (within specified regulations) is still permitted.

Pelham’s decision to opt out at this time does not prevent the municipality from opting back in at a future date. The decision, does, however, limit the potential funding made available for municipalities who opted in by the January 22 deadline.

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For more information, please contact:
Marc MacDonald
PR & Marketing Specialist
905-892-2607 x309
mmacdonald@pelham.ca