Candidates roll out thoughts on cannabis

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/10/2018 (2013 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Steinbach’s three candidates for the mayor’s chair and 10 challengers for council seats responded to a final question from The Carillon this time on the timely topic of cannabis legalization. A plebiscite question on the Oct. 24 ballot will ask Steinbach residents whether or not retail cannabis stores should be allowed in Steinbach. Earlier this year the province mandated that any municipality wishing to completely prohibit cannabis sales could only do so through a plebiscite.

All candidates were asked the following question: Steinbach residents will vote in a plebiscite on Oct. 24 whether or not to allow licensed retail cannabis stores to operate in the city. If approved, what sort of regulations do you believe city council should implement, if any, to regulate this type of business.

“On July 17, council could have said, ‘no’ to ‘Should licensed retail cannabis stores be allowed in Steinbach?’ Instead, council chose to have a binding plebiscite included in the Oct. 24 election and all of council voted in favour of this other than Mayor Goertzen,” says mayoral candidate Paul Neustaedter.

“Council should have had the courage to lead on this issue and to do the right thing; instead they have left this up to the public.”

Neustaedter says he is willing to provide leadership when it comes to safety in the community. He notes that a study recently released by CAA illustrates there are too many unknowns and variables with the legalization of marijuana, as well as how dangerous it is to be driving while under the influence.

“Why would council want to rush into something like this that we know is a harmful substance especially to youth? I’ve heard people ask, ‘What type of message was council trying to send?’,” he said.

“When it comes to safety, elected officials need to do their job…let’s keep our youth safe and not have cannabis stores in Steinbach.”

Candidate Earl Funk says the city will need to adhere to provincial regulations and guidelines, if retail cannabis stores are approved.

“We would also have to look at our bylaws and zoning and our focus must be to keep it as far away from schools or any public places that youth conjugate.”

Funk said he would also be in favor of putting it in our zoning bylaws as a conditional use, so that applications must come to council through a public process.

Candidate John Fehr says if cannabis sales are approved the city will need to consider regulating land use through zoning regulation such as only allowing dispensaries in certain commercial zones, limiting the number of outlets, and limiting the distances where cannabis sales shops could be located, such as schools, parks, and other youth-oriented facilities.

He says some communities have implemented licensing fees specifically for these dispensaries as well.

“We also need to consider the effect it will have for people in the vicinity where people will be able to use cannabis, most notably with regards to the smoking of marijuana. Some Canadian cities have adopted bylaws designating specific ‘cannabis smoking’ areas and to prohibit ‘smoking of cannabis’ in public places.”

“Council will need to address these issues very quickly and perhaps others as it does its due diligence, if the people of Steinbach decide to allow the sale of cannabis here.”

Incumbent Michael Zwaagstra says when the federal government announced its intention to legalize recreational cannabis, he was concerned that it was rushing ahead without a clear plan. He notes even today, police still do not have a universal roadside test to assess cannabis impairment.

He notes Manitoba municipalities have the ability to ban the retail sale of recreational cannabis, if a majority of voters approve the ban in a plebiscite.

“Should Steinbach residents vote to approve the sale of recreational cannabis, then I would support zoning restrictions that keep retail cannabis stores as far away as possible from schools and other places where young people congregate. I would also make it a conditional use in the zoning bylaw, meaning that a public hearing would be required before any particular location is approved.”

Candidate Jake Hiebert looks to his 39 years of work as a police officer when considering cannabis retail stores.

“I have seen first-hand the damage and devastation that drug use has on the ‘unsuspecting’ user,” he said, adding that 98 percent of drug users and dealers identified their first experience with drugs to be marijuana, which ultimately lead to more powerful drugs.

“Having first-hand knowledge regarding the negative effects of marijuana on the individual and society as a whole, I will not be in favour of licensed retail cannabis stores in Steinbach,” he said.

“I am not naive to believe that people will not be using and abusing cannabis. However, having it readily available to the ‘recreational’ user is something I cannot and will not support.”

Hiebert supported marijuana being available for medicinal purposes through licensed pharmacies.

Candidate Mitesh Kumar believes that cannabis stores should be required to maintain a list of the names of recreational cannabis buyers, which would be available for public inspection.

“This will always keep some sort of social pressure on recreational cannabis buyers that the public…may find it out.”

Kumar says society must educate and take measures to keep current and future generations safe from drug abuse and addition.

He says legalizing cannabis is the right approach, because the current situation leads to wasted resources.

“Given a choice I would have liked to see community free of cannabis, but we have to live with current realities and find solutions. Not allowing cannabis stores in city will only complicate the situation related to loss of revenue, movement and illegal business, especially when Steinbach has limited law enforcement resources,” he said.

Kumar adds that he would advocate for bylaw regulations which allow strictly regulated stores in commercially zoned areas except downtown, restricted use of cannabis leaf images, and maintain a reasonable distance between stores and public places involving children.

Incumbent Jac Siemens notes that the province’s licensed retail cannabis act has suggestions to follow for possible regulations.

“I think that like other municipalities we should make it a separate use in our zoning by-laws,” he said.

“The regulations needed are to sell cannabis in our commercial zoning only and it should be a stand-alone facility.”

Siemens said regulations as to where cannabis can be consumed include not within 300 meters of a school, health care facility, recreation facility or retail establishments. He said further determination will be needed to decide what forms cannabis can be consumed in including recreational and medical uses.

“Like many regulations put into place by the City of Steinbach enforcement of regulations will be an issue,” he surmised.

Incumbent Susan Penner said council’s first course of action should be to meet with groups most likely impacted by the change, primarily RCMP, Hanover School Division and the local health care community.

“The mayor and council should take the concerns and suggestions mentioned by these groups into consideration before making any decisions on regulating cannabis, as they are on the front lines and have more expertise on the subject,” she said.

Whatever the result, Damian Penner says he will respect the voice of Steinbach citizens, arguing for less government involvement in the lives of individuals and day-to-day business operations.

“The province has already set forth regulations that apply to all operating retail cannabis stores, and I would respect and implement the regulations as set forth by the province of Manitoba,” he said.

Penner points to requirements like retail cannabis operations be designated for a commercial zone, be a standalone store, and be at least 300m from any school, playground, or park.

“I feel any regulations beyond these would be an attempt by city council to prevent a retail cannabis store from locating to Steinbach, which would not be respecting the voice of the citizens if voted in favour.”

Cyndy Friesen says municipalities have some options to consider regarding retail cannabis stores.

“Regulations surrounding the location of these stores would need to be established. Council would need to decide land use planning and zoning for cannabis retail stores.”

Friesen says council would need to decide if more distance than 300 meters was needed for buffer zones around schools, community centres, daycares, and playgrounds.

“Council should also rely on the CAO to give them direction and guidance as to options and feedback surrounding this topic,” she said.

If retail cannabis stores are approved, candidate Adam Crookes says the city needs to act as fast as possible to make sure citizens are protected.

“We are somewhat heading into uncharted waters and we need to make sure we follow the provincial code, as well as come up with the right bylaws that will protect all of our citizens,” he said.

Crookes suggests that the city should reach out to similar sized cities in the United States to see what has worked and what hasn’t.

“Then we can decide what is the right plan for the direction we want to take the city,” he said.

“We need to be honest with ourselves and acknowledge that we have a drug problem already in the Southeast, and so we need to make sure to protect the most vulnerable.”

Candidate Alan Wiebe says it is important to remember that the cannabis zoning process is subject to the same public hearing requirements for any by-law amendments or conditional use applications under the Municipal Act.

“This means that people in Steinbach can voice their concerns on proposed changes to bylaws or applications requesting special exceptions for retail cannabis stores. Cannabis stores should only be permitted in commercial zones at a minimum distance from schools; public recreation areas; other cannabis stores; and residential neighbourhoods.”

He also suggests stores should have signage requirements to prohibit the depiction of the cannabis leaf to mitigate exposure to minors, provide fact sheets for public awareness on responsible cannabis use, be required to submit a security plan and be required to have two staff on shift at all times.

“Additional considerations for retail cannabis by-laws, including public consumption, should be determined by public engagement and recommendations on local level regulatory frameworks implemented in places where retail cannabis has already been legalized,” he said.

Bill Hiebert also wants to see zoning put in place to ban such businesses from setting up shop near schools, daycares or residential areas.

“If approved, I think children’s safety would be my primary concern,” he said.

“Cannabis retail stores shouldn’t be where one could simply walk to from a school. I would want to limit access and visibility as much as possible to protect vulnerable, impressionable kids from getting illegal access somehow.”

Hiebert acknowledges that Manitoba has the legal age for cannabis consumption at 19, but points to studies that have shown negative impacts on neurological brain development for users 25 years and under.

“I would like to see the city partner with Southern Health to further educate the public on cannabis use and the health risks involved, so that residents are better able to make informed decisions about their health,” he said.