Tory urges crackdown on weed dispensaries while city studies licensing options
Posted May 12, 2016 11:07 am.
Last Updated May 12, 2016 7:46 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Toronto Mayor John Tory won’t be sitting on his hands while the federal government irons out its plan to legalize marijuana. That process is expected to begin next spring, but Tory believes the proliferation of marijuana dispensaries must be dealt with by the city immediately and he’s urging a crackdown.
Tory has penned a letter to Tracey Cook, director of Municipal Licensing and Standards, urging immediate enforcement while the city further studies how to deal with the situation.
In the letter he also seemed to be nudging police towards action.
“… I would ask that you employ, in conjunction with the Toronto Police Service, whatever enforcement mechanism are currently available to you to address the health and safety concerns of neighbours and businesses in the communities where these marijuana dispensaries are currently operating unlawfully.”
There are currently about 100 dispensaries operating in Toronto, with more opening every day.
Toronto police have maintained they will investigate dispensaries if they receive complaints or if public safety issues are brought forward.
But last week Tory hinted that, barring direction from the federal government, the city was poised to take action to get a handle on the snowballing situation.
“If the federal government wants it to be a free-for-all, then fine … one way to control the situation is to licence them,” the mayor said.
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In his letter to Cook, Tory said he will be asking the licensing committee to review the situation and “recommend steps to address concerns” at a meeting on May 19.
He also wants them to look at Vancouver’s new licensing model, which spells out rules surrounding proximity to schools and other issues pertaining to public safety.
In the letter, Tory called the rash of weed shops “alarming” and said that although he respects the legalization movement, “the city has a responsibility to ensure this emerging industry operates responsibly.”
“I would ask that every effort be made to have this report made available to the June meeting of the Committee as I think there is some urgency to this.”
Mayor’s Letter Re Marijuana Dispensaries – May 12 by CityNewsToronto
