For Immediate Release
December 12, 2018
“Today, Council voted to opt-out of allowing retail cannabis stores in Mississauga.
Council feels there are still too many unknowns about the retail cannabis model and what it will mean for our City.
We were preparing for a government controlled cannabis retail model that resembled the LCBO. Council feels that the recent changes to the retail cannabis model have occurred too quickly and there are too many unanswered questions at this time.
The province has not given municipalities any control over where cannabis stores can be located in our City. This is cause for great concern. As a City, we believe it is important to have input on and control over the type of businesses that operate in our community. Under the current model, it would take less time for a cannabis retail store to be approved than any other business.
The City of Mississauga may decide to opt-in in the future. In the meantime, we will continue to consult and engage with our community. It’s important we take the time to get this right.
I will be writing a letter to the province to explain our Council’s decision and will be asking for greater powers for municipalities to have input into the location and number of retail stores that are permitted in our city. Simply put: if stores are to be permitted in Mississauga, we need to have a greater say about what works best for our community.
Residents can still purchase cannabis online through the Ontario Cannabis Store and will have access to legal cannabis regardless of today’s decision.
The City of Mississauga and the Region of Peel will continue to invest in public health and education campaigns to ensure residents understand the health impacts of consuming cannabis, as well as the dangers of driving while high.
The health and safety, specifically that of our youth, remains my top priority and that of Council.”
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For Media Inquiries:
Nicole McInerney
Senior Communications Advisor
Office of Bonnie Crombie, Mayor of Mississauga
Nicole.mcinerney@mississauga.ca