St. Catharines has posted an online survey asking residents what they think of cannabis stores and has set a date for a public meeting on the topic.

The city wants feedback from citizens on the issue before deciding if it should opt in or out of hosting stores in the municipality.

Residents can find the survey on the city's website at www.stcatharines.ca until Dec. 14.

The survey asks residents if they support or oppose having legalized recreational marijuana stores in St. Catharines. It also asks where in the city store locations would be the most appropriate or inappropriate if they were to be permitted.

A public meeting to get input from residents in person will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 11, at 6 p.m. at city hall at 50 Church St.

The federal government legalized cannabis on Oct. 17. Currently, the only legal way to buy it in Ontario is through the online Ontario Cannabis Store.

Ontario is introducing retail stores on April 1, 2019, that will be overseen by the provincial Alcohol and Gaming Commission, which will accept applications for stores in December.

Municipalities in Ontario that don't want cannabis retail stores in their communities can opt out by Jan. 22.

St. Catharines city council asked staff on Nov. 12 to gauge public opinion before the deadline to help guide their decision.

A staff report summarizing the public feedback will come to city council in January.

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