Survey on Cannabis Retail Outlets in Cobourg

The Town of Cobourg is looking for input from residents on whether to allow Marijuana retail stores within Cobourg Town limits. The deadline for a decision is 22 January 2019 but before then there will be an information session in Victoria Hall on December 17, an online survey and two Council meetings. The deadline has been set by the Provincial Government for a one-time opportunity to opt-out of hosting retail cannabis outlets although it will be possible to opt-back in at a later date. The online survey is now open (see link below) and it will be open until 2 January 2019. If you don’t like online surveys, you can also email up to the same date or attend one of the scheduled meetings.

Typical Cannabis store
Typical Cannabis store

There is now a page on the Town’s web site dedicated to this issue (go here). At right is a photo of a typical Cannabis Store.

The options offered in the survey are:

  • “Opt-Out” and not allow cannabis retailers to operate in the Town of Cobourg.
  • Allow cannabis retailers to operate only in commercial/retailed zoned areas in the Town of Cobourg.

The Town lists the opportunities to “Engage” on this subject:

Engagement Opportunity Location Date Time
Survey Online survey Deadline: January 2, 2019. 24/7 Access
Public Information Session Victoria Hall, 55 King Street West, Council Chambers. December 17, 2018. 6 p.m.
Email Feedback Email: [email protected] Deadline: January 2, 2019. 24/7 Access

Council Meetings

Victoria Hall, 55 King Street West, Council Chambers.

Committee of the Whole: January 7, 2019. 4 p.m.
Regular Council: January 14, 2019. 4 p.m.

Take the Survey Now – Town of Cobourg Cannabis Survey

Whatever is decided, it’s likely that there will be an outlet at the FSD Pharma plant since it apparently comes under Federal jurisdiction.

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Walter L. Luedtke
5 years ago

John!
Can we have one of your posts on ‘bumpouts’?
Seems to be an important topic.

Eva Nichols
5 years ago

Perhaps there should be one at the Mall. No schools nearby and Mall needs the traffic.

Albert
Reply to  Eva Nichols
5 years ago

When will people get real about cannabis and ‘no schools nearby’?
The real drug crisis in Ontario, as in all of North America, are the opiods.
All Cobourg police carry Narcan to deal with opioid overdoses.
And with good reason.

manfred s
Reply to  Eva Nichols
5 years ago

the same could be said of the downtown.

Frenchy
Reply to  manfred s
5 years ago

parking problems downtown

manfred s
Reply to  Frenchy
5 years ago

what problems? Our Councils and their intrepid leaders have repeatedly stated that there are no parking issues, hence no need for a tiered parking facility anytime soon. In fact, they’re so sure about it, that they reduced the on-street parking by 50% back when King St. was rebuilt and since then even sold off a parking lot. Actions speak loudly. So, Frenchy, just what parking problems are you talking about?

Frenchy
Reply to  manfred s
5 years ago

No one will ever take the hit for those dumb sidewalk bump-outs when King St. was rebuilt. Goofiest thing we ever did to screw up parking in our downtown. Dumbazz councilor (Lloyd Williams?) at the time claimed they actually increased the number of spots.
The gang that couldn’t shoot straight.

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Frenchy
5 years ago

Those bumpouts are helpful for seniors with assorted mobility issues.

Frenchy
Reply to  Wally Keeler
5 years ago

How?

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Frenchy
5 years ago

Really? You have no idea whatsoever? Ha ha ha. One can cross two lanes faster than four lanes.

manfred s
Reply to  Wally Keeler
5 years ago

this is way off topic but I have to ask, where on King do we have 4 lanes of traffic to cross?

Wally Keeler
Reply to  manfred s
5 years ago

Two parking lanes on either side, Two lanes for moving traffic. Bumpouts reduce the crossing to two lanes, more efficient for a disabled person to cross. Also bumpouts make the pedestrian more visible to drivers, than behind a parked car or truck. Bumpouts also contribute to traffic calming. They enhance the streetscape because they provide a space for benches and a tree or sculpture. The streetscape is richer than a barren mall parking lot. https://nacto.org/publication/urban-street-design-guide/street-design-elements/curb-extensions/

manfred s
Reply to  Wally Keeler
5 years ago

my question was only directed to your statement “One can cross two lanes faster than four lanes.” which is true but not applicable in this instance.

Wally Keeler
Reply to  manfred s
5 years ago

Yes it is applicable.

Frenchy
Reply to  Wally Keeler
5 years ago

“Ha ha ha”

“It’s quite pathetic to see that you have such little faith in your wit and humour that you felt it necessary to insert your own laugh track.”
Wally Keeler, 11 November 2018

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Frenchy
5 years ago

Nevertheless, you did display your abysmal ignorance about the advantage of bumpouts for disabled persons. That’s a fact, not a laugh track. Get some knowledge on this subject Frenchy and people won’t be laughing at you. Ta ta for now.

Frenchy
Reply to  Wally Keeler
5 years ago

Abysmal.. little heavy isn’t it?
Here’s my limited knowledge on the subject Wally Keeler: I am a senior and I have limited mobility issues. I live with this every day and I don’t need some smart aleck telling me I know nothing of the subject.

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Frenchy
5 years ago

I am in the same physical condition and I am knowledgeable enough from experience to understand that bumpouts are helpful to those with mobility issues. You didn’t. DUH! You get the last petty word MISTER FRENCHIE, cuz I’m done with your petulant pettiness.

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Frenchy
5 years ago

US Dept of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, had this to say about bumpouts: https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/saferjourney1/Library/countermeasures/23.htm

Kyle
Reply to  Wally Keeler
5 years ago

So are traffic lights….where you are supposed to cross.

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Kyle
5 years ago

There are no traffic lights at Chapel and College, so tell me where one should cross if there are no traffic lights. The answer: at intersections, where the bumpouts are. People are permitted and recommended to cross at intersections. So what is your petty beef about bumpouts?

Kyle
Reply to  Wally Keeler
5 years ago

There are no lowered curbs on bumpouts so they are actally a barrier to disabled. Ask a snow plow driver what they think about bumpouts.

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Kyle
5 years ago

Ask a disabled person what they think about bumpouts. They are the ones that count, not some able-bodied snow plow driver. The convenience belongs to the disabled. The snow plough driver can get used to it or get another job. Every bumpout in downtown Cobourg has a lowered curb. Go take a poicture of one in Cobourg that does not have a lowered curb and prove your point.

Rob
Reply to  Frenchy
5 years ago

Frenchy, Manfred and Wally – this is like the movie Groundhog Day as the three of you go round and round again about something that has absolutely nothing to do with the subject of the article. It was entertaining albeit missing the target completely….

Rob
Reply to  Eva Nichols
5 years ago

There doesn’t need to be any more restrictions on the location of legally established cannabis dispensaries than that of a drug store, beer store or LCBO – oddly enough you can leave Cobourg Collegiate Institute, cross King Street and pick of a narcotic prescription. Albert’s point is a good one – NO ONE is overdosing on cannabis. Besides the biggest risk during a cannabis OD is the risk of falling down as a result of impaired motor skills; second biggest is indigestion from eating entire bags of Sweet Chili Heat Doritos. I appreciate that there is a unrealistic, unsubstantiated and unnecessary fear but our elected officials should do a better job of controlling the message and easing (not feeding) the concerns of the community.

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Rob
5 years ago

From 1967 thru to 72, I was the court reporter for the Cobourg Sentinel Star and Cobourg Star. During that time, I reported on many Cobourg youths busted by the Peterborough narcs. They were convicted of possession, but they were busted for being stupid. One teen got drunk, passed out in Victoria Park with a joint in his pocket. Another ran a stop sign, got stopped, lo&behold a strange odour, Busted for being stupid. Be that, as it may, I saw many Cobourg youth get sentenced to time and/or fine, which passes quickly enough, but the stigma of NARCOTICS conviction remained. A lifetime of not being able to travel to many countries, encumbrances to employment, bonding, etc.. All for being a stupid kid with a joint that causes munchie mumps.

The busts in Cobourg became so numerous one year that a special court date was set aside every week for several months to deal with the cases. An elementary school teacher busted with a couple dozen youths at his house with NARCOTICS. Again a week later. (stupid) Another dozen teens busted in a small cottage in Bewdley with NARCOTICS.

All these individuals were friends or acquaintances that I grew up with. Some went bad, more went good. In either case, the NARCOTICS conviction was exceedingly unhelpful to remake a life. Thankfully this reefer madness era is over and no more damage will be done going forward.

cornbread
Reply to  Rob
5 years ago

Due to Cobourgs thriving business climate, this East End Drug Store has CLOSED

Alan Fletcher
Reply to  Eva Nichols
5 years ago

Sounds like a good idea

Rusty Brown
5 years ago

Silly question. Why shouldn’t we have a weed shop in Cobourg if it’s legal? Why should we do without and leave the market to the established “off-the-record” dealers? A tourist town with no weed shop? Just silly.

Wally Keeler
5 years ago

Edibles will be next and sooner than we think. This means possible cannabis restaurants, or a cannabis bakery (special on bud buns) or cannabis candy store. It would bring some extra life to main street, and fill a couple empty retail stores. The DBIA could hold bud trimming contests or a bud bake off. Set aside a weekend after Ribfest for Budfest in Victoria Park. Butter tarts and budder tarts. Give out the Pierre Berton prize (The Last Spike) for the best rolled doobie. Looks like the future will be fun and prosperous.

Winnie
5 years ago

Not much of a poll and certainly not valid as it allows multiple votes if you clear your cookies.

Rob
Reply to  Winnie
5 years ago

Winnie – its only for the perception of public consultation. Gil, Aaron and John were already at the ribbon cutting for a dispensary located in the CERTO building at the old Kraft plant.

Walter L. Luedtke
5 years ago

In other local cannabis news.
FSD/HUGE has hired the UK’s Rupert Haynes as CEO.
“Mr. Haynes has an impressive track record in pipeline and product development which is directly relevant to FSD’s vision of becoming a global cannabinoid based pharmaceutical leader,” said Dr. Raza Bokhari, Co-chairman of the Board.
“He blends world class specialty pharmaceutical experience with a fast-paced biotech mindset that will help accelerate FSD’s growth and global expansion strategy by assembling a top tier management team and pursuing targeted mergers & acquisitions.”
With the demise of GM in Oshawa FSD is of utmost importance to the local economy.

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Walter L. Luedtke
5 years ago

Yes, I know a few Cobourg residents who work at the Oshawa plant. Big Pharma should be able to employ them.

Walter L. Luedtke
Reply to  Wally Keeler
5 years ago

FSD Pharma Wants to be the World’s Largest Indoor Hydroponic Facility: Co-Chairman
See the interview here: https://smallcappower.com/videos/editors-pick-video/fsd-pharma-hydroponic-canadian-cannabis/

cornbread
5 years ago

How about a nice little Kiosk in Peace Park at the foot of 4th Street to sell “weed”. I understand the park is often used for this type of transaction.

Old Sailor
5 years ago

I am a single malt guy not a cannabis guy. However, cannabis retail stores will be legal in Ontario soon and will attract many among the pre boomer crowd. And will attract a few latent boomer young at heart experimenters. My vote is to let the Cobourg DBIA make a call as to where prospective stores should or should not be located in Cobourg. Hopefully not beside MacCoubrey’s. Do they want them on King Street or not?????