CR533/2019 & CR534/2019 - Item 7.1.14 – Appendix F of CR9/2019

DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION

Municipal Cannabis Policy Statement Regarding the Location of Proposed Retail Stores for the Corporation of The City of Windsor

Purpose:

The purpose of this policy statement is to act as a tool to assist the Municipality when evaluating the location of any recreational cannabis retailer store proposed within the City of Windsor. This policy statement is being adopted by City Council in support of their decision to opt in to the selling of recreational cannabis as per Ontario Regulation 468/18.

Applications for a license to operate a recreational cannabis retail store must be approved by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). The AGCO has expressed that they will provide a 15-day window for the municipality to issue any comments with respect to any proposed retail store.

It is important to note that this policy statement has no legal basis. The AGCO is the provincial authority that licenses cannabis retail operators, authorizes cannabis retail locations and licenses senior store staff. The City of Windsor will have no licensing authority and will have no recourse if the AGCO issues a license despite any objections by the municipality.

The Municipality of Windsor has chosen to allow retail sales of recreational cannabis. The following provides municipal staff with guidance on commenting to AGCO when a notice on a specific proposed cannabis retail site is provided on the site location.

Principles for Cannabis Retail Store Locations:

For the purposes of this policy statement, a cannabis retail store shall mean a store licensed by the AGCO.

1. Cannabis Retail Stores and Sensitive Land Uses and Activities:

In order to help ensure public health and safety, protecting youth and reducing illegal sales, retail cannabis stores are discouraged where nearby properties are servicing youth and vulnerable individuals. The City of Windsor has adopted the following guidelines:

i. the City's opposition for those proposed cannabis retail sites where a site is: