The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

11 | The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,D ecem ber 20,2018 theifp.ca an entrepreneur and can- nabis researcher, brought forth his expertise in both biomedical toxicology and economics, discussing the health implications and economic opportunities of cannabis, and specifically, having recreational store- fronts in town. "I have serious con- cerns that this decision to opt out by council further ingrains alcohol as the pre- ferred intoxicant in Halton Hills, whereas we should be supporting access and alternatives that balance public health and econom- ic opportunity, both of which cannabis could po- tentially provide," he said. Greb compared the ef- fective-to-lethal dose ra- tios of both alcohol and cannabis, concluding that alcohol is a much more dangerous substance in that regard. "The effective dose to a lethal dose of alcohol is 10 to 1, however when we move and look at cannabis the effective dose to lethal dose is greater than 1,000 to 1, which is so high that in- ducing a lethal response would require 1,500 pounds of cannabis smoked in 15 minutes," he said, as some residents in the gallery laughed in response. "It's virtually impossible." Greb then went on to speak about the role can- nabis plays in reducing opioid use and also how he believes having cannabis retail stores in town will significantly reduce can- nabis access for minors. "As we look at the recre- ational storefront, I do be- lieve that we will signifi- cantly reduce youth access because we're reducing the margins of the black mar- ket," he added. Following Greb, Kristin Kowalski and Kate Downes, co-founders of lo- cal cannabis advocacy group Greenlight for Can- nabis - Halton Hills, stepped up to the podium to ask council for a month of public engagement prior to the provincial deadline. "Council has been given until Jan. 22, 2019 to make this decision you have seemingly made today, without any public engage- ment," Kowalski said to the councillors. She went on to highlight some economic benefits of brick-and-mortar stores across the U.S., comparing the state of Colorado to the province of Ontario. "With a population of roughly five million, in 2018 alone, Colorado gener- ated $250 million in canna- bis taxes through its store- front sales. We would un- doubtedly see the same trends here," she said. Prior to the end of the delegation, Kowalski aimed to show the true face of the cannabis user. "We are the people you see here gathered in this room. We are your family, your friends and your col- leagues. People from every social class and profes- sion," Kowalski said. "We are doctors, lawyers, teachers, nurses, thera- pists, real estate agents and business owners. We are the sick, the healthy, the disabled, the abled." The mayor and council- lors could not get on the same page when it came down to whether to defer the decision. Mayor Rick Bonnette said he thinks the town would benefit from the original, longer consulta- tion period, gained by ini- tially opting out by the pro- vincial deadline. "I just don't like having a gun to my head, by the province, (saying) 'You have until Jan. 22, that's it, make up your mind,'" he said. "I think we really want to get it right and we want to give everyone a chance to have a say." Councillor Bryan Lewis expressed his agreement in deferring the resolution to Jan. 21, adding that he believes that having pot re- tail stores in town is inevi- table. "At some point the dol- lar has to stop on our desk and if Jan. 21 is the date, then I say fine to that," he said. "That would be my vote from a public perspec- tive right now." Council voted by simple majority to defer the deci- sion. They subsequently voted to commence public consultation in order to en- sure they can make an in- formed decision on Jan. 21. CANNABIS AND YOU Continued from page 3 DECISION DEFERRED UNTIL ONE DAY BEFORE DEADLINE ASK THE PROFESSIONAL 33 Main Street South Acton, ON L7J 1X3 Tel: 519-853-1330 Fax: 519-853-4645 Email: Mark@mchlawyers.com Mark Hilliard Mackenzie Chapman Hilliard Barristers and Solicitors The advice offered in this column is intended for informational purposes only. Use of this column is not intended to replace or substitute any professional, financial, medical, legal, or other professional advice. We work for you. legal matters Q A REAL ESTATE LAW What is bridge financing? A bridge loan is a temporary loan obtained when the closing date for your purchase comes before the closing date for your sale. Usually, when you are buying and selling, you rely on the sale proceeds to fund the purchase. Often you will arrange both closing dates to be on the same day, so your sale closes and then you are able to close your purchase. However, if you would like to close your purchase before your sale, you would obtain a bridge loan for the time in between, whether it is for just one day or a number of weeks. The interest rate is a little higher than it would be for conventional bank mortgage, but the benefits may be worth the extra cost. For instance, this process allows you to stretch out your moving-in over more than one day. Also, it avoids the dilemma of having your sale not go through quickly or at all, which results in your purchase being delayed or derailed. Enriching the lives of Children Since 1985. www.georgetowndaycare.ca LOCATIONS 479 Guelph St., Norval 905-877-4376 • 483 Guelph St., Norval 905-877-4375 Ages 2-5 yrs. Call for space. Nursery School Program Transportation To/From Local Schools A loving and calm environment for newborns to 18 months. Infant Care • Beautiful parkland setting at the Lucy Maud Montgomery Park • Nutritious Lunches & Snacks made on site Full time Daycare For more information contact Dave Newsome | 905-877-8468 ext 2224 | dnewsome@clublink.ca EAGLE RIDGE GOLF CLUB | RR #4, 11742 TENTH LINE, GEORGETOWN, ON | eagleridge.clublink.ca Open year round Endless possibilities BAPTISMS and CHRISTENINGS BABY SHOWERS BRIDAL SHOWERS REHEARSAL DINNERS WEDDINGS BIRTHDAYS CELEBRATIONS of LIFE FUNDRAISERS HOLIDAY PARTIES BRUNCHES MEETINGS CELEBRATING all of LIFE'S MOMENTS BAPTISMS and CHRISTENINGS BABY SHOWERS BRIDAL SHOWERS REHEARSAL DINNERS WEDDINGS BIRTHDAYS CELEBRATIONS of LIFE FUNDRAISERS HOLIDAY PARTIES BRUNCHES MEETINGS ViewOurNewly Renovated Clubhouse! For more information contact Bill Dhaliwal | 905-877-8468 ext 2223 | bdhaliwal@clublink.ca