Niagara Falls city council has voted to opt in to having cannabis retail stores in the community.

Council also supported its staff's recommendation to send a resolution to the province requesting municipalities be given greater regulatory controls when it comes to the location, distance separations and number of retail cannabis stores within communities.

Council also wants the city to harmonize its anti-smoking bylaw with amendments to Niagara Region's anti-smoking bylaw, and work with the regional public health department on consultation regarding additional areas where tobacco, cannabis and related products can be smoked or consumed.

Council discussed the issue for more than two hours Tuesday night, hearing from eight public speakers. Some voiced their support for opting in, while others voiced their opposition to the idea.

In a recorded vote, councillors Wayne Campbell, Chris Dabrowski, Carolynn Ioannoni, Lori Lococo, Mike Strange, Wayne Thomson and Victor Pietrangelo voted in favour of opting in. Coun. Vince Kerrio voted in opposition. Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati did not attend Tuesday's meeting.

Meanwhile, a majority of respondents to a survey supported the idea of allowing cannabis stores in Niagara Falls.

The city conducted an online survey between Dec. 20 and Jan. 11.

A summary of the results was presented to city council during Tuesday night's meeting.

The survey yielded 459 responses, of which 411 were from Niagara Falls residents. The 48 surveys completed by people from outside Niagara Falls were not included in city staff's summary of results.

The majority of respondents were between the ages of 26 and 55.

The survey asked two questions: What are your thoughts on retail cannabis stores in Niagara Falls and what do you think about the use of cannabis in public spaces in Niagara Falls (streets, sidewalks, parks, transit stops, etc.)?

Sixty-five per cent of respondents were in favour of allowing cannabis retail stores in Niagara Falls, as currently permitted.

An additional eight per cent expressed conditional support, feeling the store locations should be controlled, the number of stores permitted should be limited, etc.

Twenty-two per cent of respondents do not support retail cannabis stores in Niagara Falls, while two per cent felt Niagara Falls should opt out for now but consider opting in later.

As for the second question, 34 per cent of respondents do not want smoking of cannabis in any public spaces, while 38 per cent support the current smoking regulations (similar to tobacco).

Eleven per cent suggest there should be limitations on public smoking of cannabis beyond those that exist for tobacco — 14 per cent would like smoking restrictions to mirror those of alcohol use.

For both questions, three per cent did not reply.

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Raymond.Spiteri@niagaradailies.com

905-225-1645 | @RaySpiteri