Ottawa city council deciding whether to allow pot shops

Ottawa city councillorsare decidingwhether to puff or pass on recreational cannabis stores.

The provincial government has given municipalities the right to not allow private cannabis stores within their borders.

A report to Ottawa city councillorsrecommends allowing the shops in the city, but the final decision is in council's hands.

City staff said not allowing stores here would not stop people here from getting marijuana.

"In such a case, local consumers may choose to turn to the illicit market," it said.

"Local consumers may also turn to the illegal market if they have concerns with online purchasing privacy or if they simply want in person service and product knowledge firsthand."

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Mayor Jim Watson has said he supports allowing the stores in Ottawa.

"We can argue until the cows come home whether it's the right thing to do or not, but at the end of the day, it is legal to possess cannabis and we should be in the business of providing storefronts for that," he said.

In the city's public consultation, 80 per cent of residents wanted the city to allowthese shops.

A telephone poll done by EKOS research suggested48 per cent of respondents were in favour of pot shops, while 43 per cent were against.

Under the current rules, municipalities don't have a say over where pot shops are located, which Watson has raised with Premier Doug Ford.

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TheAlcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario will decide where stores are allowed.

Staff are recommending the city develop a process to share opinions with the ACGO when new stores are proposed.