Jim Watson wants cities to have more power over pot stores

Cities need more control over where legalcannabis retailers can set up shopand how many can open in one neighbourhood, said Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson.

"I'm really concerned about the fact we don't have any ability to control the number or location of pot shops in Ottawa," said Watson on Sunday.

"And I think that was one of the most fundamental beliefs that most municipalities had:that they would have some local controlto try to minimize the number in one particularneighhourhood."

The former Liberal government had decided that cannabis retailers would come onto the market slowly, and be run and regulated much like liquor stores are by the LCBO.

But the Progressive Conservative government, elected last June, threw out that plan for one that will give private retailers the power to sell legalized pot starting next April.

The government tabled new cannabis retailing legislation last week.

The bill does not put a cap on the number of pot stores that can open in Ontario, nor does it give cities any powers to regulate the location or density of shops.

And it now appears that theAlcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario the same organization that oversees liquorlicencesin the province will be handling the application process for those who want to open a pot retail shop.

The city will be able to write a letter arguing against an individualapplication.

Mayor to call attorney general

The ability to use zoning bylaws to limit where cannabis shops could be located was the single most important request that municipalities made to the province, including at the most recent meeting of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario in August.

The City of Ottawadoes have the power to limit the density of some types of businesses, such as strip clubs and payday loans.

It wanted similar powers for cannabis retail shops.

"I don't want to have 10 pot shops on one block or in one neighbourhood," said Watson, who's running for re-election against 11 candidates.

"I think that's just too many and it doesn't add to the economic well-being of that particular street."

He said municipalities need to have some control over the locations of the shops, especially as they are "the ones who are going to get stuck enforcing the provincial and federal laws,either [through] bylaw officers or police officers."

Watson said he will be speaking with Attorney General Caroline Mulroney in the coming days to discuss his concerns.

The next council, which will be sworn in at the start of December, will have to vote on whether to opt out of cannabis retail shops by Jan. 22.