TREVOR STONE, 31
Event co-ordinator
I think dispensaries opening up too close to schools is a concern, especially if they’re not regulated properly. You never know who they’re selling it to. But as along as they’re getting checked all the time, I don’t think it’s as much of a concern. But they should probably stay a certain boundary away from the school.
OLGA FOWELL, 47
Real estate sales rep
Licensed doctors should be the ones to give out prescriptions. We’re not talking a naturopath. If we’re going to be saying “medicinal,” then it needs to be under the Canadian [Controlled Drugs and Substances] Act, and it needs to be managed in the same way. People should be able to get it at Shoppers Drug Mart and other drugstores.
FAIZEL ALLADINA, 50
​Insurance executive
I would be concerned [that dispensaries are opening up too close to schools]. There’s a fair amount of children in the neighbourhood. We, of course, live in the area, and there are schools not far from here. I think the biggest concern is that kids are getting exposed to it without understanding it.
DANANN HAWES
I think if it was up to me I would regulate the entire industry, [so marijuana is not] required to be for medicinal purposes … and can be purchased at various outlets. I think it’s less harmful than tobacco and alcohol. The only aspect that concerns me is the driving while high issue. I think that’s something that hasn’t gotten a lot of play.
From left: Risa Weinberg, Cameron Murray, Hilary Turner and Daryl Biglang-Awa
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RISA WEINBERG, 52
Occupational therapist
I think they’ll regulate it like when you go to the LCBO. It’ll be by a certain age and quality control. [But] if kids want to get it, they’ll get it. If the desire is there, you’ll find a way. But if the quality is safe and it’s regulated, in terms of being a certain age, then, as a parent, I’m OK with that.
CAMERON MURRAY, 31
Doctoral student
I don’t think we need sketchy illegtimate operations going on. Especially because the people producing the edibles and some of the other content are also flying under the radar. I think people are consuming products when they don’t know exactly where they’re coming from. It’s hard to verify the legitimacy of that stuff.
HILARY TURNER
Social services
I think regulation would be good but their existence doesn’t particularly concern me if it’s for legitimate reasons. If it’s going to be [regulated] by prescription, then pharmacies make sense. As far as the independents popping up, there’s no oversight. Then also there’s the concern about minors having access.
DARYL BIGLANG-AWA
​It should be regulated the way tobacco is. I don’t think [proximity to schools] is an issue considering that there are many establishments [close to schools] that sell other substances, like alcohol, which is a legally regulated substance. Marijuana is no different. If it’s regulated, then you shouldn’t have any issues.
