ELORA – Centre Wellington residents looking to purchase cannabis within the township will have to wait a little longer following a committee of the whole meeting Tuesday night.
Following the legalization of cannabis in 2018, that term of council opted out of allowing cannabis retail locations to open up in the township.
Last night, this term of council had an opportunity to opt in to the local dispensaries.
Two options were presented to staff on the heels of a survey in which almost 75 percent of 913 polled residents said they support cannabis stores in Centre Wellington.
Council decided not to opt in or out- in the end voting to seek more input from the Economic Development and Prosperity Committee before making the decision.
Mayor Shawn Watters told The Grand at 101 the caution from council stems from a need for more information.
Watters went on to say input from the Fergus and Elora business improvement associations is valued and will be sought after as a part of additional consultation.
He added he doesn’t have a sense that it’s difficult for residents to get their hands on cannabis as it stands.
The issue was first brought to council in February of 2023 when Diane Ballantyne and cannabis advocate John Mifsud both made delegations.
Both were present at the meeting Tuesday.
Mifsud, who hopes to open a cannabis store within the township, said the township survey wasn’t the only one circulated.
Council will return to discussions on the matter after receiving the economic development report.
