Cannabis Information

Overview

Recreational cannabis was legalized in Canada on October 17, 2018.  The Ontario provincial government then passed legislation that regulates sales and use of cannabis throughout the province.  Bill 36, the Cannabis Statute Law Amendment Act, sets the legal structure for private cannabis retail in Ontario.

This webpage outlines important information for residents, businesses and investors in Whitchurch-Stouffville.  Links to other jurisdiction's cannabis information can be found throughout.

This page will be updated with new information as needed.  The last update was Friday January 11, 2018.

Pending Council Decision

Whitchurch-Stouffville Council will be making a decision regarding retail cannabis stores in Whitchurch-Stouffville at the January 15, 2019 Council Meeting scheduled for 5:00 p.m.  You may download the agenda here.  All are welcome to attend.

Public Meetings

(The public meeting portion of the community engagement is now complete - thank you to everyone who participated)

Town Council will be hosting three Public Meetings for residents and businesses to express their opinion about cannabis retail stores in Whitchurch-Stouffville.  All meetings are in the Council Chambers, 111 Sandiford Drive, Stouffville at 7:00 p.m.  Dates are displayed to the right.

The Laws Regarding Cannabis

In April 2017, the federal government introduced Bill C-45 (the Cannabis Act) to legalize recreational cannabis. In September 2018, the provincial government introduced Bill 36 (the Cannabis Statute Law Amendment Act) which included several changes to the use and sale of cannabis in Ontario.

In Ontario, adults 19 years of age or older can now:

• smoke/consume cannabis in any form – smoking, vaping or edibles – on private property, subject to the provisions of any lease agreements or condominium by-laws
• purchase cannabis online through the Ontario Cannabis Store
• possess up to 30 grams of dried legal cannabis in public
• share cannabis with people 19 years of age or older
• grow up to four plants per residence (not per person) without a licence

Under Bill 36, the smoking of cannabis is prohibited everywhere the smoking of tobacco is prohibited. In Whitchurch-Stouffville, the smoking of cannabis and tobacco are prohibited in all public parks and public squares, and within 20 metres of public entrances and exits for all facilities operated by the Town including Town Hall, libraries and recreational facilities.

Retail Information for Whitchurch-Stouffville

Ontario municipalities, including Whitchurch-Stouffville, have been given until January 22, 2019 to determine whether to allow retail cannabis stores within their jurisdiction.

Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville Council is currently considering its options and will be making a decision prior to the January 22, 2019 deadline as to whether or not to opt-out of hosting cannabis retail locations.

If approved, retail cannabis stores will be permitted in zones that permit retail.  Municipalities will not be able to designate retail cannabis as a separate land use from retail generally or create a cannabis licencing regime within their jurisdiction.  Should Whitchurch-Stouffville not opt-out of retail cannabis, the public and the town will be provided with a 15-day commenting period on licence applications received for within the jurisdiction of the Whitchurch-Stouffville.

The AGCO's Role

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) will be the regulator for privately run recreational cannabis stores in Ontario.  The AGCO has the authority to license, regulate and enforce the sale of recreational cannabis stores.  The AGCO will begin accepting applications in December 2018.  Private retail cannabis stores  can open no earlier than April 1, 2019 and are only permitted to sell cannabis from the Ontario Cannabis Retail Corporation.

Enforcement in Whitchurch-Stouffville

Various legislation – including the Cannabis Act (federal), Cannabis Control Act (provincial) and municipal Town By-Laws – will govern the use of cannabis in Whitchurch-Stouffville.  

Under Ontario's Bill 36, the smoking of cannabis is prohibited everywhere the smoking of tobacco is prohibited.  Future Town by laws may further restrict the use within the municipality.

The Town will continue to work with the York Regional Police Service and the Regional Municipality of York to enforce current regulations related to the use of cannabis within the community.