Manitoba municipality votes ‘no’ to pot

As a provincial pot deadline looms for Manitoba municipalities, a Manitoba town has halted plans for marijuana stores in its community.

The RM of Gimli has passed a resolution to say no to retail cannibis stores, at least for now.

It’s believed to be the first Manitoba municipality to make that decision.

READ MORE: Manitoba says no to homegrown pot, unveils legal age to buy

“We feel the government hasn’t laid out a strong enough plan,” Mayor Randy Woroniuk told Global News. “We’re saying no, for now.”

Council had originally planned to hold a meeting and hear from residents but instead, took it straight to a vote at Wednesday’s meeting.

Councils across Manitoba have until December 22 to make the initial decision about whether or not they want to allow cannabis sales in their communities.

Woroniuk said the province is moving too quickly and without a plan.

“If they aren’t sure about signing on to the 75 per cent revenue sharing with the federal government, how are we supposed to know what that means for the municipalities,” Woroniuk said. “It took 15 years to repeal prohibition and they’re giving us until December 22?”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "If they aren't sure about signing on to the 75 per cent revenue sharing with the federal government, how are we supposed to know what that means for the municipalities," Woroniuk said. "It took 15 years to repeal prohibition and they're giving us until December 22?"

The “no” vote means the province will not issue licenses to retail operators in that municipality.