Recreational marijuana is expected to be legalized in Canada in July. It just needs to pass the Senate. If it does pass, Niagara Falls, Ontario will be home to one of the first pot shops in the country.
The plan is to have 40 marijuana shops opened in Ontario in July of 2018 that number is expected to double by the end of 2018.
The mayor of Niagara Falls, Ontario loves the idea of legal weed in his city.
“It's a good way to manage the situation and profit from it. And if we're going to be doing that, Niagara Falls is an ideal place,” said Mayor Jim Diodati.
He's expecting plenty of Western New Yorkers to make the trip to his city if marijuana becomes legal.
“We're expecting this to be one more reason to come to Niagara Falls. Obviously for Americans coming here your dollar goes a lot farther with the exchange rate,” said Diodati.
A recent survey stated a majority of New Yorkers would like to see recreational marijuana legalized.
But, until that happens, or if that happens, the closest place to buy legal weed will be out-of-state or out-of-country. Something Mayor Diodati is banking on.
“People joke that when everyone gets the munchies, they're going to want to buy their munchies locally. There are going to be people who are going to stay overnight because obviously you're not going to be able to buy and then bring it over the border,” added Diodati.
Fourteen million people visit the Canadian side of the Falls every year. Mostly go to to see the Falls. But pretty soon, there will be another reason to visit the Canadian side of the Niagara River.
