With the legalization of retail cannabis shops just around the corner, many municipalities are scrambling the determine the best way forward.
Amherstburg residents were given the chance to voice their opinions on the issue at a public meeting Thursday night with the majority of those who spoke in favour of allowing pot shops in the town.
John Pelltier is a small business owner in the town and sees the shops as a way to draw more people to Amherstburg.
"I just see the opportunity of people coming to this town. It's a small town, but we have a lot to offer. Obviously we have a nice waterfront, we have a lot of commercialism that can be used with this tax money. Every municipality can gain some money if they open up retail shops."
He says if the town chooses to opt out people are going to go elsewhere.
"If people don't come here, then where are they going to go? They're going to go to the next municipality that's going to have it right? That's where I want to see Amherstburg build up. Being a border town, you can bring those Americans over to spend money here instead of us going over there all the time."
Windsor-Essex County Health Unit literature available at a public meeting on retail cannabis stores in Amherstburg (Photo by AM800's Zander Broeckel)
One concern that came up at the meeting was how close the storefronts could be to schools — new regulations from the province state they must be a minimum of 150-metres away.
Luigi Dipierdomenico also owns a business in Amherstburg and says as long as the rules are followed, he's in favour.
"I think it's a good opportunity for any town as long as they take the right precautions and follow the rules and regulations that the province has set out. I think if it's operated in a safe way I don't see why it can't be something that the town can provide."
Dipierdomenico says, with such tight deadlines, the town has been doing a great job of keeping residents informed.
"I just wanted to say how good the town is doing. I know a lot of people are being kind of negative overall about the whole situation. I think the town is doing a great job and they're getting us the information as fast as they can and I think people just need to be more positive about the whole situation."
Residents attend a public meeting on retail cannabis stores in Amherstburg (Photo by AM800's Zander Broeckel)
Those who couldn't make it to Thursday's meeting are encouraged to complete a survey on the town's website www.talktheburg.ca before November 30.
A final report will go before the new Amherstburg Council sometime in December.
Municipalities have until January 22, 2019 to make a decision or whether or not to allow retail cannabis shops which can legally operate in Ontario in April.