Why doesn’t Mississauga have cannabis stores?

Did you know that Mississauga, one of the largest cities in Ontario, has no cannabis stores?

After further research I couldn’t believe what the reason is

Mississauga, ON, is a major city of about 800,000 people, a population comparable to the entire province of New Brunswick. Why doesn’t Mississauga have cannabis stores?

Photo by Barrie Star Buds

Why is Mississauga foregoing cannabis deals?

Mississauga is renouncing cannabis stores because they don’t want to see the cannabis store congestion happening in Toronto, Ontario’s largest city. Another problem they faced was where to find them. Ward 9 – Councilor Pat Saito does not want shops to open where there are parks, daycare centers and schools.

Though the city of Mississauga allows bars, beer, and liquor stores near kid-friendly environments; Cannabis doesn’t have the same privileges. The excuse is not to have too many stores around children. So what’s the difference between the two?

The Ontario government has passed laws to keep cannabis away from children and adolescents. You can enter the LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) or a beer shop with your child, but no one under the age of 19 is allowed to enter cannabis shops. Ontario also has a youth diversion program. The program educates children between the ages of 12 and 18 about the effects cannabis has on them and the violation of the law of having cannabis in their possession.

Usually the black market does not require identification.

Cannabis buyers will buy their weed where it’s more convenient. If it’s easier for them to buy on the street, go for it.

Councilor Karen Ras, a body of legal cannabis deals since legalization in 2018, is concerned about encouraging black market sales in Mississauga. Ras believes cannabis stores would help reduce these numbers. Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie agrees Ras. She believes cannabis shops are safer, cleaner, more regulated, and residents want and use it.

Mississauga residents want easy access to cannabis stores.

Consumers who live in Mississauga want to buy cannabis in the comfort of their own instead of traveling outside of the city.

Anti-cannabis supporters

Photo by CALM USA

It seems more like Mississauga City council who has chosen to keep cannabis stores out of Mississauga is looking for excuses not to have stores in his town. Although it is legal, many people in power are still actively working against proper cannabis legislation. We need to make sure that all levels of government are educated about how cannabis is helping others, and therefore their province, by keeping it off the streets and off the youth.