Hello Ward 8 Neighbours,
The province has informed city council that it will not create a buffer-zone policy to prevent clusters of shops in neighbourhoods after a request by Hamilton city councillors to explore the issue and asking the province to “consider amending its licensing and application process” to include a radial separation between pot shops.
For more details, please continue reading below…
Doug Downey, Attorney General of Ontario, sent a letter dated October 7 to Mayor Eisenberger, where the AGO stated “the open market will naturally limit the number of viable cannabis stores based on consumer demand,” according to the Hamilton Spectator.
During the October 14 council meeting, Ward 8 Councillor John-Paul Danko suggested that applicants in Ward 8 are “targeting” the Mohawk College student population. Cllr. Danko went on to say that there are more legal retailers operating now in Hamilton than when illegal stores were operating, saying it was “it’s getting a little ridiculous”.
The suggestion that there are more legal retailers at this point in the city compared to the height of the “illegal boom” in Hamilton prior to and during the early days of legalization may remind some of Premier Ford’s comments on the illegal issue, where the Premier slammed the city and said it was his biggest frustration regarding legalization.
Cllr. Danko argued the province “doesn’t have to do a lot to correct this issue,” noting municipalities could be given local licensing powers to “fix the problems,” he told the Spec.
In his letter, Downey noted AGCO registrar weighs comments from municipalities and residents during a 15-day public notice period, which is to allow communities to provide feedback on whether the stores are in the “public interest” under the Cannabis Licence Act.
In December 2019, the province created an open market for retail cannabis outlets as the “most effective way to combat” illegal operators and offer “more choice, convenience and a safe” supply, Downey also wrote.
Last year, council decided to allow legal cannabis outlets in Hamilton but also hoped for a “radial separation” of 300 metres from certain community uses including schools, parks, community centres, nurseries and detox centres.
The province’s regulations, however, only keeps them 150 metres from schools.
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