The clock is ticking for Saugeen Shores council to make decisions regarding cannabis in the municipality.
Mayor Luke Charbonneau said a survey has been launched on the municipal website to gather input from residents, as the deadline to opt-in or out of brick-and-mortar cannabis sales nears.
Charbonneau said while the province has set a January 22 deadline for municipalities to decide, they actually have much less time, with the only one council meeting on January 8, prior to the deadline.
Charbonneau has not heard much from residents regarding cannabis lately.
"I haven't had a lot of correspondence, frankly, on cannabis which is partially why we're very keen to do this outreach because I suspect members of council may have heard about it on the campaign trail, I wasn't on the campaign trail so I didn't hear about it as much," said Charbonneau. "I think we really need some input, it's a big decision, it'll have a big impact."
The survey is available until December 31, either online at saugeenshores.ca/cannabis or in-person at the municipal office in Port Elgin.
"Whether we'll lean where the province is suggesting, toward allowing it to be consumed wherever tobacco can be consumed, or whether we'll have tighter regulations. At this moment, I can say council hasn't discussed it at all," said Charbonneau. "Every option is on the table, so we're very keen to hear what the public has to say."