Niagara-On-The-Lake will not be hosting a retail cannabis shop...at least, not for now.

Last night council unanimously voted to stay out of the retail pot game.

Speaking to CKTB's Matt Holmes this morning, Lord Mayor Betty Disero noted concerns with the rapidly changing rules around retail cannabis.

Although the province originally said it would not put a limit of the number of licenses for retail stores, last week officials changed course, limiting Ontario to 25 stores.

Disero says, "I did not want Niagara-On-The-Lake to get into a situation where we have no control and whatever happens, could happen. And really, we are wine country."

Given the changes still being made to how cannabis shops will operate in the province, Disero also believes residents would not be able to make a truly informed choice.

"We could have put it on Join The Conversation, or had a survey, or something like that, but the residents would be answering questions or giving an opinion, again, without accurate information."

Disero says she hopes to have further community consultations in the spring after the first shops open elsewhere.

St. Catharines MP Chris Bittle also spoke to Matt Holmes this morning, expressing his disappointment as yet another Niagara municipality decides to opt out.

"It is surprising because the reality of the situation is cannabis is going to continue to be sold in those communities but it will be done by organized crime. If communities want to remain dry towns it's not going to work, it hasn't worked, it didn't work for alcohol, it's not gong to work for cannabis, and although people can still purchase it online in Niagara-On-The-Lake, it's just giving an opportunity for the Black Market to thrive."

Municipalities have until January 22nd to let the province know whether they want to opt in or opt out of hosting a store.

