Hamilton continues to wait to see when it will receive money from the provincial government to crack down on illegal marijuana dispensaries.

The federal government announced that it was providing Ontario with about $40 million of federal marijuana taxes to be used for law enforcement and other safety costs.

MPP Ted McMeekin didn’t say when the province will provide the funding, but he assured Mayor Fred Eisenberger and other Concession Street business owners Ontario will be addressing the illegal pot dispensaries.

“Rest assured, we are in a situation where the illegal activity will not persist,” said McMeekin.

"We are in a situation were the illegal activity will not persist." — MPP Ted McMeekin

It is expected the cannabis funding will be distributed to municipalities based upon population.

Hamilton officials, along with local businesses have been concerned for nearly a year about the illegal pot dispensaries popping up in almost all business improvement areas. Eisenberger said every time police shut down a pot outlet, they quickly reopen.

“It’s a cat-and-mouse game in Hamilton,” said Eisenberger, who is also a member of the Hamilton police services board. “They need to be shut down. We are in a grey area in terms of legalization.”

The federal government has already approved the legalization of recreational cannabis no later than July 1, 2018. Ontario has identified 29 municipalities that will host a legal pot outlet that will be called the Ontario Cannabis Store, operated under the jurisdiction of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario.

There are scheduled to be 40 stores operating by July 1, 2018, and another 40 by July 2019.

The Ontario government will also be creating a Cannabis Intelligent Coordination Centre to help municipalities shut down illegal dispensaries.