Midland Election 2018 Candidate Q&A, Answers #6

The Question

How do you intend to respond to the legalization of pot and [the] matter of private retail operations potentially opening in Midland, and why?

Carole McGinn (Nicols) – Wednesday, September 19th 2018

Feel free to watch my video on Facebook. If we are not FB friend, look up Carole Ann Louise McGinn. I need to know what YOU want. This must go to vote. We ought to say no for now. It may be forever or may change at anytime in the future. If we were to say yes right now we CANNOT go back to NOT allowing the dispensaries/shops. We ought to in any event have by-laws in place regarding the consumption of Cannabis. I feel it needs to mirror the by laws in place regarding smoking cigarettes. Moving forward. If you said you want to allow the shops then I personally feel that they ought not be allowed in close proximity to hospitals, schools and daycares. Hours that are no later or earlier than the LCBO or Beer Store. I’d suggest a stand alone building. If not then it’s own venting and air systems ( some people have scent sensitivity), Fire suppression systems, lock up like a pharmacy and information on addictions on site and in plain site. I am not against cannabis. It does have medicinal properties and I do know recreational users. There is a big difference between the two aforementioned and an addict. Just because consumable and control substances are already sold legally does not mean more alcoholics. I share that I cannot use cannabis as I am a fast metabolizer, narcotic sensitive and highly reactive to cannabis. I do smoke cigarettes, recreationally. If every store in Midland stopped selling them and I had not quit then I would go elsewhere. I’m not saying that is a reason to have them here, I’m sharing that close proximity doesn’t change if a person will or will not purchase. A plus to the legalization is that save for reputable resources this cannabis will be lab tested and have clear genetic history. Some quiet suppliers of medicinal do take care with their product but not all. Further some street cannabis is laced with Phentynal/Fentynal. That is terrifying. It is also another issue.

Jonathan Reid – Friday, September 21st 2018

I do not intend to respond at all at this time, there are many other close communities that will choose to partake in these discussions and take action, we can opt in later after we seen how other communities are handling the transition. I am more concerned on attracting new jobs and helping our lower and middle class families.

Bill Gordon – Saturday, September 22nd 2018

I have made my position very clear on this, publicly and early on in the campaign. [You can see it in detail here](https://www.billgordon.ca/cannabis-in-midland-where-do-i-stand/). [Link dead 2021-12-06]

In short, I support an opt-out stance in the short-term since we can opt-in again once the Province and AMO (Association of Municipalities of Ontario) have some real guidance. Being forced to pick yes/no this early and without any direction is not an ideal position for the Province to put us in. Accordingly I support waiting and using the lessons-learned approach from other larger municipalities success and failures. If we opt-in now, we can’t opt-out again. If we opt-out now, we can opt-in once we are ready. It is going to happen no matter what and the black market won’t go away because of taxed and regulated legalized cannabis.

Answered on [Bill Gordon’s Website: Q & A Time With Voters – Volume 2](https://www.billgordon.ca/q-a-time-with-voters-volume-2/). [Link dead 2021-12-06]

Cher Cunningham – Monday, September 24 2018

My response here will be to learn. Here I am truly ignorant of where we are at. And we have a notable lack of direction and policy to start from. I do intend to treat these legal business owners with the respect due to all entrepreneurs. I believe that a licensed establishment operating under the laws of the country and the province should not be prevented from opening a retail establishment in a retail district. Much like licensed LLBO restaurants, liquor and beer stores, adult stores and smoking paraphernalia shops already do. If this allows for more people to choose milder and safer recreational drugs this could be a net positive benefit. That does not mean that my beliefs will be used in making this decision (beyond the vote of one citizen). I am unsure what is best for the town at this time and public input will be key in outlining our local policies. That said, I have some concerns. The more dangerous cannabis byproducts are easy to hide within an otherwise legal enterprise as they are highly concentrated. The policing side of cannabis legalization seems far more problematic.

Stewart Strathearn – Monday, September 24 2018

Requested that due to time constraints that I point to his website: [Elect Stewart Strathearn for Mayor](https://stewartstrathearn.ca/) — and noted that he asks constituents use a contact method listed on that site, or on the Town website, or otherwise public, to ask him the questions they have in person, if the website proves insufficient — after helping me with a council matter, and having a wide-ranging discussion.

Jonathan Main – Tuesday, September 25 2018

We’re going to have to wait and see what the Province introduces. Our planning staff are watching intently. It’s very likely that we’ll have private retail here in Town, but we’re waiting on the Province now.

Elliot Sheaves – Tuesday, September 25 2018

Prefers to answer questions in person due to the ways in which written answers can be taken the wrong way. He met with me in person and we had a very long and informative discussion. He also said he welcomes one-on-one with any constituent who would like to know what he thinks on any issue. He has also launched [Vote Elliot Sheaves](http://www.votesheaves.ca).

Candidates who have not (yet) responded

• Jack Contin
• Bob Jeffery
• Mike Ross
• Ruth Hackney
• George J. MacDonald
• Larry J. Ferris
• Shannah Aubé
• Shawn Edward O’Hara
• Jim Downer
• Beth Prost
• Michael Ladouceur
• Will King
• Keith Day
• Glen Canning
• Eric (Howie) Major
• Cody Oschefski
• Roberta Clair Bald
• Ryan McLaughlan
• Todd Langevin
• Elizabeth (Lisa) McFayden

Notes on the Answers

Answers in ’normal text’ are the candidate’s written response and are taken verbatim. I use italics for my words such as summaries of verbal responses and/or pointing to websites at the request of the candidate.