September 19: As the Federal Government prepares to present legislation to legalize marijuana, the provinces are poised for the windfall on tax revenue. The Ontario Chamber of Commerce passed a resolution at it’s Spring Annual General Meeting to support a fair and level playing field in the distribution of recreational marijuana. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce currently has a resolution before it’s AGM to lobby the Federal Government to mandate the Provinces to institute fair distribution. In other words, give private business the opportunity to engage in commerce, where legalized recreational marijuana is concerned.

Mississauga Board of Trade supports the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s recommendation to the Federal and Provincial government to implement evidence-based health and safety regulations and continue the study of health implications connected with this commodity.

Mississauga Board of Trade urges the City of Mississauga and the Region of Peel to include the local business community in all discussions that will impact decisions on who and where licenses to distribute marijuana are granted.  We also urge the municipal and regional governments to consult the local business community with respect to any “revenue tools” they may contemplate assessing for these licenses.