Ward 4 Councillor Sherry Bondy is hoping a presentation on retail pot stores won't lead to a decision to opt-out Monday night in Essex.
The OPP and the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit are preparing to speak to council, and they've made their stance on retail pot-shops clear, they're not in favour of municipalities opting in before the April rollout.
Bondy's stance is that council should table a decision on whether to opt-out until the public gets a chance to be heard.
"It almost seems like a bias approach, so why wouldn't we just put the brakes on and say does anybody else want to talk to us like medical experts in our community, retail businesses in our community, before we officially opt out," she says. "We really need to send the message to the public that we want to consult with them."
She says, with new members on council, more time is needed to "digest" an extensive file on the pros and cons of marijuana sales.
"I do understand the concerns and the reasons for opting out, but I think we have to look at the entire package and the overall picture," added Bondy. "The agenda comes out Thursday, it's passed on Monday and we've really had no opportunity for public input."
Bondy is hopeful council will get behind tabling any decision until the New Year.