Barrie, ward 6

Potential Legalized Cannabis Store Location In Barrie

ParamedicNat

Hello!

As you may have seen in the media recently, the old D.O.T. Patio Furniture store located at Ardagh Rd and Essa Rd, could potentially be the site of Barrie’s first legalized cannabis store.

I just learned about this recently myself as I was not notified by city staff, because there was no reason to notify me – this is a commercial building with a completely legal commercial store going into it. I, and the public, are only notified when a re-zoning application is put in.

So, what does this mean right now? Well, the store has been given the green light by the provincial government to be created, but does not have a licence yet. The owner is hoping to receive one early in the new year.

Very strict guidelines must be met in order for the province to approve these locations, including the installation of very advanced security systems.

I have recently been asked by a resident if I, “approve of cannabis”? Well, cannabis is now legalized in Canada – just as alcohol is. So, whether I approve of it or not won’t change that it’s now legally availability. And I think we need to remember that alcohol is statistically far more lethal than cannabis. What I do “approve” of, is being responsible.

I am hopeful that with the availability of government regulated cannabis, that the deaths from street/black-market drugs will decrease. I have lost MANY friends to overdoses and I am very aware of how lethal poisoned cannabis is. But with that being said, not everyone is an addict or alcoholic, and many people use drugs and alcohol responsibly.

I will keep you up to date with any new information I receive about this store! If you have any questions you can email me at natalie.harris@barrie.ca