Councillor Mac Bain says he is putting forward a resolution at Tuesday's council meeting that will see the city opt into the provincial governments' pot plan.
It reads:
"Whereas the Government of Canada has passed the Cannabis Act, also known as Bill C-45, as a law that will, upon coming into effect on October 17, 2018, legalize recreational use of cannabis nationwide in Canada, when combined with Bill C-46, An Act to Amend the Criminal Code of Canada;
"And whereas the Province has passed the Cannabis Act 2017 which comes into force on October 17, 2018; (https://www.ontario.ca/laws/
"And whereas on October 17, 2018 citizens in Ontario will have the ability to order cannabis online from the Province of Ontario, which will be delivered to the purchaser;
"And whereas municipalities will have the autonomy to decide if they want a Brick and Mortar Store front in their community, in April of 2019. This local choice is being referred to as 'opt-in' or 'opt-out';
"And whereas the Government of Ontario will provide Municipalities with a one-time window to choose to opt-out of permitting physical cannabis retail stores within their boundaries;
"And Whereas the Government of Ontario has indicated that if a Municipality chooses to opt-in there is no subsequent opportunity to opt-out.
"Therefore Be It Resolved that the Council of the City of North Bay 'opt-in' to having a Brick and Mortar store effective April 2019."
