Like most communities across Canada, Creston has to determine just how to deal with the upcoming legalization of recreational marijuana, which is expected to happen at the federal level this summer.
“We need to gauge public attitudes as we get ready to create the necessary regulations,” Mayor Ron Toyota said on Monday.
A survey mailed to residents last week has already generated plenty of interest, with about 150 hard copies already returned to Town Hall, and many more submitted electronically.
The survey begins by asking whether the resident supports or opposes legalization of cannabis for recreational use.
More specific questions are tailored to where a retail business should be located and intended to guide the Town of Creston as it considers retail locations and regulations, public consumption, retail hours of operation, land use and zoning, and home cultivation.
Toyota said that he was pleased that the first serious expression of interest to sell retail cannabis has come from the owners of Creston Hotel and Suites, who have a lengthy track record of operating a successful pub and liquor store.
“There has been lots of interest by people who own a property and want to put a business in it, but the Karountzos family is the first to formally express their interest,” he said. “We will be working through the process in the coming months—there are many considerations that have to be weighed.”
Completed surveys and comments will be accepted until April 3. Anyone who has not received a survey can go the Town of Creston web site at www.creston.ca or pick one up at Town Hall.