A number of Parry Sound residents have spoken to the town in favour of allowing cannabis retail stores.
The town council meeting room was packed with concerned residents prepared to comment on whether to opt out or speak in favour of a pot shop at Tuesday’s council meeting.
Taylor Elgie, Manager of Planning and Building at the Town of Parry Sound, said that out of 21 written comments submitted, 19 were in favour. Three residents spoke to their approval at the meeting stating that travel and medical costs could be increased should residents have to leave town to buy cannabis.
Two parents in opposition to a cannabis shop mentioned the vaping epidemic at Parry Sound High School and related such to a possible increase in cannabis use among teens. The concerned parents also noted specific studies that relate to brain development in teens being stunted by cannabis use.
Based on a Facebook poll by the District Business Association, noted Elgie, 82 per cent of respondents were in favour of permitting a store and 18 per cent were opposed. Similarly, a Chamber of Commerce poll showed 74.3Â per cent of respondents in favour of allowing pot stores in Parry Sound.
While Elgie used these figures as a reference to present to the council yesterday, he did mention that the town did not oversee those polls. Elgie said the town will bring a report with a recommendation to the next council meeting on January 15th.
The official comment period for the public has ended though residents can still submit a written comment to Tayor Elgie via his email, [email protected].
