Are legal cannabis stores one vote away in Mississauga?

Mississauga will re-visit the issue of legal retail cannabis stores in the upcoming months.

Mayor Bonnie Crombie says a report is being prepared that will take another look at accepting the concept of cannabis stores, an issue that Mississauga has dealt with before when it decided not to allow the establishments within city boundaries.

However, there are indications Mississauga politicians have soften their stance based on the experiences of nearby communities such as Brampton and Burlington which allow the stores to operate.

Under provincial guidelines municipalities were given the opportunity to decide if they want to allow the sale of legal marijuana when the program was introduced last year.

At that time Mississauga politicians decided to opt out of the program. However, the guidelines allow municipalities to reconsider and opt in, but once the program is accepted there are no measures to opt out.

As well, if Mississauga decides to accept the sale of cannabis, local politicians will not be allowed to enforce their own terms and conditions on these businesses as that falls under the jurisdiction of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.

In the interview with Khaled Iwamura the mayor said Mississauga city council can vote for legal retail cannabis stores as early as a few week or in the fall but more studies can be asked by members of council to delay the process