It took some time, but Windsor is allowing brick-and-mortar cannabis stores to set up in the city.
Following a lengthy debate period, Windsor City Council voted late Monday night against a motion to opt-out of having recreational cannabis stores in the city. The vote, which was taken shortly after 11 p.m., was 8-3. Councillors Fred Francis, Fabio Costante, Rino Bortolin, Chris Holt, Jo-Anne Gignac, Gary Kaschak, Kieran McKenzie and Jim Morrison voted to defeat the opt-out motion. Councillors Irek Kusmierczyk, Ed Sleiman and Mayor Drew Dilkens, supported the opt-out question.
Before the vote, Dilkens cautioned councillors that the city would give up any latitude as far as the location of the stores was concerned, as Windsor will be subject to provincial authority. Municipalities had until midnight Monday night to opt-out of allowing actual cannabis stores in their communities and be eligible for a more substantial cut of provincial revenues, or they would opt-in by default.
Council heard from 18 delegates who asked to speak in person, and there were dozens of people who submitted their comments in writing. Among those in favour of opting in were Leo Lucier, the owner of Compassion House, and Sam Katzman, a Windsor native who began a cannabis business in Alberta with his father. Katzman told reporters after the meeting that he is eager to apply to set up shop in his hometown.
"I felt that today was a success for the citizens of Windsor," said Katzman. "I mean, I see the points on the other side as well, and I believe the debate was good."
The majority of those who spoke Monday night were in favour of opting-out, including Dr. Wajid Ahmed, chief medical officer of the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, Police Chief Al Frederick and public school board member Linda Qin. Qin, speaking for herself and not the public board, believed the city is putting funds over children's welfare.
"We wanted them to help protect the community, protect the kids," said Qin. "But what they really consider is only money, money, dollars, dollars."
Windsor is the fifth community in the county to opt-in for retail pot stores. Amherstburg also voted Monday night to allow them. The other municipalities opting-in are Kingsville, Essex and Leamington, with LaSalle, Tecumseh and Lakeshore opting-out.
The province will open 25 physical cannabis stores across Ontario beginning in April. For now, cannabis can only be purchased legally online.
Windsor City Councillors Irek Kusmierczyk and Ed Sleiman talk with Police Chief Al Frederick at City Hall, January 21, 2019. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.