Should the Town of Newmarket embrace cannabis retail locations?

This is the question residents and businesses are being asked by the town, which is required to make a decision on whether or not to allow private cannabis retail locations in Newmarket.

Residents are being invited to attend a public meeting on Dec. 12 from 7 to 9 p.m. in council chambers of the municipal offices, located at 395 Mulock Drive. Town staff will make a formal presentation, and then the public will have the opportunity to ask questions.

“Prior to council making a formal decision as to whether the town will allow private retail cannabis stores in Newmarket in January 2019, we are looking to residents to provide their feedback,” acting chief administrative officer Esther Armchuk said. “Through our survey, our aim is to inform council of the options available to us and engage the public in the process.”

While Markham, Richmond Hill and King Township have yet to make a formal decision, each has set bylaws that do not allow the smoking of cannabis on public property.

Newmarket has yet to take an official stance, and is gathering input from the public.

Residents and business owners who cannot make the public meeting have the opportunity to have their say in an online survey.

Residents may receive a telephone call in the next few weeks to participate in the survey.

Both surveys will close on Dec. 28.

The survey is set up to engage the public and ask if they support the town allowing private cannabis retail stores in town beginning April 1, 2019 — and whether the town should place more restrictions on where people can smoke or vape cannabis in town, in the form of a bylaw.