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Cannabis Stores - Time to Get OFF the Pot (or ON?)

April 2023 - DECISION TIME: In 2018, Mississauga opted out of legal cannabis stores during the initial provincial rollout following legalization in Canada.  On Wednesday, April 19 @ 9:30am the Mississauga City Council again revisits this often-controversial subject to vote again.  Will we see cannabis stores in Mississauga or not?

Earlier this year, Mississauga News approached TOPCA, asking what our members thought.  At the time, it wasn't an issue we could comment on because our membership hasn't been vocal about legalization one way or the other.

BUT, with this upcoming Council vote, we're asking you for your thoughts.  Is it time to reconsider cannabis shops in Port Credit?  Do you feel the ability to purchase online provides sufficient ease of access?

This article in The Pointer (April 15, 2023) and this CBC News article (April 12, 2023) detail the for-and-against arguments our Councillors are engaging in.

▶ WHAT DO YOU THINK? Let's hear your opinion on this contentious issue. Visit us on Facebook to join the conversation and read other opinions or email us directly.

▶ TOPCA POSITION: TOPCA's Letter to Council regarding the legalization of cannabis stores in Mississauga was sent after reaching out to our membership for some response to the sudden Motion at Council (April 12, 2023) and request for stakeholder input prior to the Council meeting of April 19, 2023 (Agenda).  Nothing we heard in this short space of time would allow us to represent one side or the other with any level of integrity.  We do feel it's an issue we need to proceed cautiously on, and submitted this Letter that represents our thoughts on the matter: TOPCA Letter re Cannabis stores (April 17, 2023) (1p PDF).

▶ NEWS RELEASE - April 20, 2023: Mississauga Council Opts in for Retail Cannabis Stores.  Excerpt: "Yesterday, Mississauga City Council passed Resolution 0103-2023 (2p PDF) to lift its prohibition on cannabis retail stores and permit them to locate and operate in the city.  In Canada, cannabis is legal for recreational and medicinal use under the federal Cannabis Act."