Sarnia council will be given two options Monday to opt in or opt out of allowing retail cannabis stores in the city.
Mayor Mike Bradley said he personally thinks the city should opt in for a number of reasons.
"One is it would allow local businesses to apply for the licences because that process starts very quickly after we're dealing with this issue on Monday," said Bradley.
He also hopes it would help reduce the number of illegal pot shops.
"Because what's happening in the illegal trade, marijuana is being put together with other drugs. Drugs that are quite deadly. So, if we can diminish that market through a product that will be filtered and pure, then that in turn, I think, would help remove some of the things that have happened in many communities across Ontario where marijuana has been laced with everything from fentanyl to angel dust to other drugs."
An online survey to gauge public opinion drew 814 responses with the majority, 88 per cent, saying they support retail cannabis stores and believe the local economy will benefit.
Municipalities must make a decision by January 22 to be eligible to operate a store beginning April 1, 2019.
However, the chances of getting a licence will still be difficult.
The Progressive Conservatives announced Thursday that only 25 licences will be issued by April, because of what it calls "severe supply shortages'' across the country.
