Quinte West Council has decided to opt in to selling recreational cannabis within its boundaries.
The motion passed by an 11-2 recorded vote with councillors Don Kuntze and Terry Cassidy voting against.
Cassidy wasn’t pleased with the decision to not sell pot from LCBO stores and felt the city’s hands were tied to opting in, because of a threat of less provincial funding if they decided otherwise.
Kuntze said there were still too many unanswered questions and noted that, as of this past weekend, an article he saw showed 68 communities had opted out.
Quinte West Councillor Terry Cassidy, during a council meeting, on January 21, 2019. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
Mayor Jim Harrison says despite the yes vote, it will likely be some time before a pot shop opens in the city
Those who voted in favour credited the results of an online survey for helping them make their decision.
Close to 1,300 people responded with about 80% of them saying they were open to retail cannabis stores in the community.
Both Belleville and Prince Edward County opted in as well.
