Cannabis Retail Store Locational Criteria

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Consultation has concluded

The City of Oshawa has been asked by the Province to provide input on locational criteria for cannabis retail stores in the city. To ensure that proposed recommendations are reflective of the community, the City is inviting the public to share feedback regarding where cannabis retail stores should or should not be located.

Considerations include proximity to schools, daycare and recreation centres, the Downtown Oshawa Urban Growth Centre, residential uses, as well as parking availability and transit accessibility. Feedback can be provided in one of three ways:

  • Complete the online survey here on Connect Oshawa;
  • Complete a paper survey at Service Oshawa, located at City Hall (50 Centre St. S.); or
  • Attend the Public Meeting on Tuesday, June 26 at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chamber at City Hall (50 Centre St. S.) where attendees can provide comments to Development Services Committee and City staff.

Feedback received by end of day Friday, July 13, 2018 will be considered in the development of recommended locational criteria. The recommendations will be presented to Development Services Committee and City Council in 2018. Upon approval of any proposed locational criteria by Council, copies of the locational criteria would be provided to the Province to inform its search for a cannabis retail store site in Oshawa.

The City of Oshawa has been asked by the Province to provide input on locational criteria for cannabis retail stores in the city. To ensure that proposed recommendations are reflective of the community, the City is inviting the public to share feedback regarding where cannabis retail stores should or should not be located.

Considerations include proximity to schools, daycare and recreation centres, the Downtown Oshawa Urban Growth Centre, residential uses, as well as parking availability and transit accessibility. Feedback can be provided in one of three ways:

  • Complete the online survey here on Connect Oshawa;
  • Complete a paper survey at Service Oshawa, located at City Hall (50 Centre St. S.); or
  • Attend the Public Meeting on Tuesday, June 26 at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chamber at City Hall (50 Centre St. S.) where attendees can provide comments to Development Services Committee and City staff.

Feedback received by end of day Friday, July 13, 2018 will be considered in the development of recommended locational criteria. The recommendations will be presented to Development Services Committee and City Council in 2018. Upon approval of any proposed locational criteria by Council, copies of the locational criteria would be provided to the Province to inform its search for a cannabis retail store site in Oshawa.

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

Have a question regarding the Cannabis Retail Store Locational Criteria consultation? Ask it here! We'll get back to you within two business days.

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    Who is responsible for the operation of cannabis retail stores in Ontario?

    over 2 years ago

    The Province of Ontario has created the Ontario Cannabis Store (O.C.S.) to operate the Province’s retailing of recreational cannabis. The O.C.S. is a provincially owned and operated entity like the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (L.C.B.O.).


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    Are any cannabis retail stores proposed in Oshawa?

    over 2 years ago

    The Province has identified Oshawa for a provincially operated cannabis retail store but a location has not yet been identified.

    The City is currently conducting a public consultation process to obtain community comments on locational considerations for potential cannabis retail store locations.

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    Where will cannabis retail stores be permitted in Oshawa?

    over 2 years ago

    Under the existing provisions of Zoning By-law 60-94, a cannabis retail store would be considered a retail store and is permitted in any zone in which a retail store is permitted.

    The City is in the process of conducting a public consultation process to obtain community comments on locational considerations for potential cannabis retail store locations. Once the City’s public consultation process is complete the City’s locational criteria will be provided to the Province to inform their search for a suitable retail store location in the city.

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    What will be allowed once recreational cannabis is permitted?

    over 2 years ago

    The Province of Ontario has created a webpage dedicated to providing information on cannabis legalization including providing clarity on permitted and prohibited activities. Some points include:

    • The minimum age for possessing, purchasing, using, and/or growing recreational cannabis in Ontario will be nineteen (19). This is the same for the sale of tobacco and alcohol within the province.
    • You will only be able to use recreational cannabis in a private residence (including outdoor spaces such as backyards and porches) and in your unit or on your balcony, if you live in a multi-unit building (but this depends on your building’s rules or your lease agreement).
    • You will not be able to use recreational cannabis in any public place, workplace or motorized vehicle.
    • You cannot drive while drug-impaired.
    • You will only be able to buy recreational cannabis from the provincially-run Ontario Cannabis Store.
    • You will only be able to possess up to thirty (30) grams (about one ounce) of dried cannabis in public at any time.
    • You will be able to grow up to four (4) plants per residence, not per person. Seeds and seedlings will be available for purchase from the Ontario Cannabis Store

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    When will recreational cannabis be legal?

    over 2 years ago

    No official date has been set. The Federal legislation is still under development. Please continue to monitor Federal updates.

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    Where can I find information about the Ontario Cannabis Store (O.C.S.)?

    over 2 years ago

    Current information can be found on the Ontario Cannabis Store web page. Some of the information found here includes:

    • Why the Federal government decided to legalize cannabis
    • Where cannabis will be sold
    • What kind of products will be sold
    • What stores will look like

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    What will the enforcement of recreational cannabis issues look like?

    over 2 years ago

    At this time, the role of the City of Oshawa’s Municipal Law Enforcement Officers is limited. It is difficult to determine how enforcement roles may be shaped while the legislation remains in development.

    Enforcement agencies affiliated with Durham Region (ex. Durham Region Police Services and Durham Region Public Health) may have a more active enforcement role. For instance, Durham Region Police Service will likely be involved in enforcing illegal possession, impaired driving, illegal distribution, and illegal dispensaries.

    It is important to note that the forthcoming Provincial legislation permits the smoking of cannabis in your backyard, on your porch and on your balcony (provided this is not prohibited by your building rules or lease agreement). However, the legislation does not permit smoking in public spaces. For further information on what will and will not be permitted, please visit the provincial web page on cannabis legalization.