Pubdate: Thu, 25 Jan 2018
Source: Niagara Falls Review, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2018 Niagara Falls Review
Contact: http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/letters
Website: http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2907
Author: Ray Spiteri
Page: A1

WEIGHING IN ON POT LOUNGES

Niagara Falls may consider the possibility of licensed cannabis
consumption lounges once recreational marijuana is legalized this summer.

Coun. Wayne Thomson said he's notified Niagara Falls Tourism, of which
he's the chairman, the provincial government is considering allowing
such establishments, and is asking the public to weigh in on the idea.

"I've already sent it to Niagara Falls Tourism to get the feedback
from some of the hotels, whether they feel that they're comfortable
with this, or they're not," he said.

"This is a very serious situation and it mentions tourism, and I think
that they have reacted to our comments down here and they want to
know, so I would suggest that we be aware of that on the government
website, and that we have a report back to us with respect to (the
issue)."

The provincial proposal has been met with optimism by some cannabis
activists and municipal politicians who say the government's approach
on where legal weed can be consumed has been too restrictive so far.
Under rules outlined in the fall, the province intends to sell
marijuana in up to 150 stores run by the Liquor Control Board of
Ontario to people 19 and older, with a ban on pot's consumption in
public spaces or workplaces.

In November, the province announced Niagara Falls as a location for at
least one initial cannabis retail store by July.

Last week, the province issued a request for public feedback on a slew
of regulatory changes proposed to clarify where recreational and
medical cannabis can be consumed.

Among them is the possibility of permitting "licensed and regulated
cannabis consumption lounges and venues" sometime after legalization
in July.

In the proposed places of use regulations under the Cannabis Act,
2017, the Ministry of the Attorney General is also proposing to permit
the use of recreational cannabis in hotel, motel and inn rooms; motor
vehicles and boats that are used as private residences; and private
residences that are also workplaces, subject to some conditions.

The province is accepting feedback on its proposals until March
5.

Comments can be submitted through the Ontario Regulatory Registry
website.

Niagara Falls resident Clarke Bitter, who has spoken to council about
marijuana-related issues in the past, took to his Facebook page when
the province put the call out for public opinion on allowing cannabis
lounges.

Bitter described the potential as a "game changer" for Niagara
Falls.

"Please please please do not let this opportunity pass to express how
this could help Niagara Falls," Bitter wrote on Facebook, tagging
several councillors.

"Cannabis tourism in legal states skyrocketed after legalization. We
already know how the wine industry brings people here. Cannabis will
bring as many or more."

He told council during Tuesday's meeting, the province, through its
recreational use of cannabis and tourism proposal, is looking at
allowing "Amsterdamstyle cafes."

"Similar to the way they license liquor, they would allow a restaurant
or a cafe to allow people to consume cannabis. These would be new
establishments because it wouldn't be allowed in the same places as
alcohol."

Bitter said if Niagara Falls were to have such lounges and cafes,
thousands of jobs could be created in the first year, and "you're
looking at a large amount of tourism" coming from nearby United States.

"I beg council to really look into this, maybe hold a public meeting
before March 5 when the deadline is for comments to be submitted to
the province. I'd love to speak at that, too, if you allow me, and
gather more information."

Thomson asked staff to report back to council, and "play it by ear"
whether or not an open forum is needed in the coming weeks.
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MAP posted-by: Matt