Barrie residents flag concerns over dispensary enforcement-focused zoning amendment

Barrie residents raised concerns at a public meeting Wednesday that a proposed zoning by-law amendment tied to the city’s enforcement approach toward illegal dispensaries could have unintended impacts on legal businesses.

The proposed amendment, brought forward through Mayor Alex Nuttall’s Apr. 29 motion at city council, would allow the city to deem any use considered illegal under federal or provincial law as not permitted under its zoning by-law. It would also more explicitly prohibit the unlicensed or unauthorized sale of illegal or regulated goods and services, including examples such as body rub parlours and cannabis dispensaries.

During an affordability committee meeting, six residents spoke to the proposal, with concerns ranging from enforcement priorities to downtown safety.

One of those speakers was Jamie Mohawk, store manager of Mohawk Smoke, a downtown Indigenous business that sells native cigarettes and cannabis products.

He said he believes the city’s focus on dispensaries — including legal ones — is misplaced.

“We’ve complied with everything the mayor has asked us to do,” Mohawk said. “The crime has not changed downtown, so clearly we weren’t the problem.”

He added that in his view, downtown issues are driven more by broader drug use and homelessness.

“It has nothing to do with marijuana; it has everything to do with fentanyl, crack, and all the homeless people downtown,” he said.

Other residents echoed concerns about downtown safety, particularly in the evening.

“It’s sad to see the amount of people that are walking around either on drugs or in the process of taking drugs,” said Patrick Hariott-Stewart, a longtime resident. “It’s not a pretty look.”

Rose Romita, a former Barrie city councillor, also spoke during the meeting. She referenced concerns she said she is aware of involving a methadone clinic on Dunlop Street West, alleging issues related to opioid prescribing practices.

Romita said she believes more oversight is needed for both clinics and cannabis-related enforcement downtown.

“We need to not only go after the illegal [dispensaries], absolutely, but also, we really need to take an in-depth look at the methadone clinics that are downtown,” she said.

Mayor Nuttall said the April motion included a request for the province to provide guidance on how to proceed with enforcement efforts.

He also noted there are three methadone clinics in close proximity in the Dunlop Street West and Toronto Street area.

Kevin Mast, executive director of Hope Barrie, a faith-based organization providing addiction recovery services, job skills and poverty supports, said he has raised concerns with provincial regulatory bodies regarding clinic practices.

Mast also urged the city to consider by-law enforcement related to cannabis smoking near recovery facilities, saying it can negatively affect those in treatment programs.

“We are smelling cannabis 24-7 at our coffee shop where people are working and getting job skills and are in recovery,” he said.

Nuttall clarified at the meeting that the discussion was not specifically about the city’s broader drug enforcement strategy and directed questions to Barrie Police Chief Rich Johnston, who was in attendance. Johnston briefly stepped out during public comments.

The proposed zoning amendment will proceed to general committee for further consideration at a later date.