Dear Editor:
We have to go to Guelph … really?
I thought we were promoting local. You know, buy local, spend local, but our council decided to send our dollars to Guelph.
Centre Wellington’s mayor and his council have decided not to allow marijuana outlets in Centre Wellington. I have to ask, why?
That won’t curb the sale of marijuana, as anyone wanting pot will drive to wherever to get it, so now it will be Guelph, a mere 20km away. And while people are in Guelph they will likely buy groceries, get gas, eat at their restaurants, etc.
In fact, this decision will likely promote or at least sustain the black market sale of the substance in our area. This is the avenue through which minors buy their pot, not the legal outlets where they will be on surveillance cameras and have to produce ID.
So don’t tell me that it may promote usage among our young people because it has been available around our schools for 50 years or more; they will get it anyway, we might as well get the tax. Let’s keep our shoppers in town and make the product safe and controlled.
I have heard that councillor Kirk McElwain was the only one who voted for the proposal to have an outlet here. I understand that the mayor would like to wait and see. But what if Alma or Arthur or Elmira are granted an outlet? Do you think Fergus or Elora will get one within 10 years?
We have a legalized gambling with the racetrack, slots and about 30 outlets to buy lottery tickets; we also have liquor and beer sales everywhere. What is the big to-do about marijuana sales? It’s going to happen all around us, why not here?
Dave Oakman,
Elora