Will St. Catharines edge out Niagara Falls for cannabis dispensaries?

With Google showing 20 different cannabis dispensaries in both Niagara Falls and St. Catharines, is the Garden City about to get the edge in pot shops?

If those figures are accurate, it just might as My Cannabis Shoppe has applied to set up shop at 216 Queenston Street.

The store has submitted its licence request to Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and residents have until March 31 to enter their submissions or objections to the potential business.

After Canada legalized marijuana, municipalities had to decide whether or not to allow cannabis dispensaries within their city or town limits because it was with the understanding that the town or city may not have a say in where they land within the boundaries.

It’s just as possible that a dispensary could end up next door to an elementary school or church as it could land beside a bar. Some Ontario municipalities did not like the potential optics and preferring not to take a chance, voted to opt out though in Niagara, they are a slight minority.

St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Fort Erie, Lincoln, Port Colborne, Thorold and Welland all voted to allow dispensaries.

On December 17, 2018, both Niagara-on-the-Lake and West Lincoln voted to opt out. On January 8, 2019, Wainfleet opted out, followed by Grimsby and Pelham, both opting out on January 21, 2019.

If residents wish to enter submissions or place objections to the new application at 216 Queenston Street, they can Click Here.