Pubdate: Tue, 19 Dec 2017
Source: Windsor Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2017 The Windsor Star
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/501
Author: Brian Cross
Page: A3

GIGNAC CALLS FOR CITY INPUT ON LOCATION OF POT STORE

Predicting a "mess" of traffic chaos and policing problems when the
province opens a cannabis retail store in Windsor, Coun. Jo-Anne
Gignac Monday called for the city to have some input on the location.

Her motion, passed by council, involves expressing concerns about
increased policing demands and making the province aware the city has
a designated entertainment district downtown where there is already a
beefed-up police presence.

"I'm expressing concern that I want to make sure it's done right," she
said.

Windsor is one of 14 Ontario cities to get the first retail stores
starting July 1. City staff met with provincial representatives a few
weeks ago when they were told

a location would be selected by February.

Gignac is predicting the new retail store will generate as much
traffic as the temporary casino when it opened on Riverside Drive in
the 1990s.

The list of requirements for the cannabis store - to be run by an LCBO
subsidiary, the Ontario Cannabis Retail Corp. - include a stand-alone
operation apart from the LCBO's alcohol operations; 2,500 square feet
of space at a location that's already properly zoned for retail; a
location that's near a Transit Windsor bus route; an existing space
instead of new construction; and a location that's not located close
to schools, addiction treatment centres, mental health facilities or
emergency shelters.

Gignac asked if the location is in a mall somewhere, "who's going to
police (people) sitting in their cars, smoking their product there,"
as well as policing impaired driving.

Other councillors suggested a downtown location would help attract
American tourists seeking to buy legal marijuana.

City staff are in the process of creating a city map laying out the
locations of schools, treatment centres and other locations, to help
provincial agents decide on a site.
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MAP posted-by: Matt