The city of Welland wants to know what residents think about private cannabis retail stores opening and operating in the city.

The town is collecting the opinions of residents by way of an online survey through their public engagement platform, YourChannel, which asks whether cannabis stores should be allowed altogether.

The online survey is now open and closes 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 5, 2019.

The findings from the survey, along with a town staff report, will be shared with council at their general committee meeting on Jan. 8 before council decides on whether to allow these stores to open at their council meeting on Jan. 15.

The Province is giving all local municipalities until Jan. 22 to opt-in or -out of having private cannabis retail stores within their community.

The Alcoholic and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), which is responsible for the licencing, regulating and enforcing of private cannabis stores, is accepting applications for new stores as of this month with the intent to open them by April, 2019.

To access the City of Welland survey about private cannabis retail outlets, visit yourchannel.welland.ca.