Huron East council has voted to allow retail cannabis outlets in the municipality in the future.
Mayor Bernie Maclellan says no one has applied to open a store in Huron East and he's not sure where a retail outlet would be allowed.
The main street of Seaforth would be disqualified because of the proximity to the school, and he believes a retail outlet would have to be a stand-alone building and Huron East doesn't have very many of those in its urban centres. MacLellan says if someone does apply in the future and the municipality has a problem with it, they can still change their mind and turn it down.
He also points out the Province is only going to licence 25 retail outlets, so he doesn't know what Huron East's chances will be, but he's pretty sure Toronto will be getting more than one.
Perth South council has also voted in favour of opting-in for cannabis retail stores within the Township.
Perth South is anticipating a payment of at least $10,000 from the Ontario Cannabis Legalization Implementation Fund in 2019.
During discussions on the decision to opt-in, Perth South Councillors considered increased economic development opportunities and government funding available to municipalities who are willing hosts of cannabis retail stores.
The Government of Ontario has given municipalities until January 22nd to decide whether they will opt-in or opt-out of having retail stores in their municipalities.
