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“The only thing I see today is 150 metres from a school. Literally, someone could set up a cannabis store next to Brentwood (addiction treatment centre)…. It seams like a real common sense thing to consider and the fact it wasn’t brought forward in the regulations is a very glaring omission.”

The regulations lay out the rules for the April 1 startup of private cannabis stores, which can be open between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. any day for anyone 19 years and older. The government is limiting the number to 75 stores. Until April, the online Ontario Cannabis Store is the only legal source.

Dilkens said he hasn’t formed an opinion yet on whether the City of Windsor should opt out.

“But I tell you, I’m more concerned today than the way the conversation was proceeding in the past.”

There are many issues to consider, he said, including the jobs a store would provide and the fact a major cannabis producer, Aphria, is located in the region, employing hundreds. But he also questions the impact a legal store could have on the opioid and crystal meth epidemic, and whether the legalization of cannabis in Michigan will make Windsor less of a “pot tourism” destination.

“There are so many layers to this.”

He expects the new council, which comes on board at the start of December, will likely deal with the question of opting out in January before the Jan. 22 deadline.

“There are many things to consider and I think we need to have a robust conversation, and I think my mind is still open to it.”

bcross@postmedia.com

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