With the provincial and federal elections now behind us, Niverville residents can focus on the Cannabis Plebiscite coming up in their community on November 26th.

The Cannabis Plebiscite is binding and if residents vote to deny retail cannabis, the decision can only be overturned by a future plebiscite.

Read more: Cannabis Plebiscite To Be Held In Niverville

Billie Fontaine is a spokesperson for the Citizens Who Support A Progressive Niverville group. She says they see a cannabis store in Niverville as an amazing opportunity to remain relevant and progressive among other rural communities.

Billie Fontaine"We believe that having a legal cannabis dispensary in Niverville, serving all of southern Manitoba has significant economic benefits to our town.” She notes, “When customers arrive we can expect that they will also buy coffee, grab some lunch, play a round of golf, get some gas, grab some groceries, renew their insurance and maybe drive around town and say 'wow this is a great place to live’."

Fontaine says the Niverville business community has struggled to grow for years now, and it would be a shame to now turn away a new business that is looking to come to town. She says there is a lot of misinformation going around about cannabis and what a cannabis store would do to Niverville and they are trying to clear up some of that confusion.

"In response to this misinformation, we have created a website supportniverville.com so that the citizens of Niverville have a place to go for more information on the plebiscite vote as well as real scientific information as it relates to cannabis and cannabis use. The truth about cannabis is clear and the information is accessible to everybody who wishes to be informed."

Fontaine notes cannabis has been integral in her journey through cancer and she wants others to know of the benefits. She adds whether or not there is a store in Niverville, residents will still have access to legal cannabis and their hope is the town will vote yes to create better access and to take advantage of the economic benefits.

Meanwhile, Ewald Kasdorf is part of a group of concerned Niverville residents who are encouraging others to vote against allowing retail cannabis in town. He says he is doing this for his grandchildren.

Ewald Kasdorf"These kids are exposed to so many choices and temptations in life and as a dad and granddad, if I can help them to avoid some of these temptations it is my responsibility and I think it is the responsibility of all of the dads and grandparents to step up to the plate and help the kids. I don't think this is one of those economic benefits that really brings the community together."

Kasdorf says they have been trying to inform the residents of Niverville about the plebiscite so that they know just how important it is to step up to the plate and vote no on November 26th.

"There are some things in life that are not worth the fight but this would be one of those that is worth the fight, not just because I believe it but because it has been seen in so many communities. Whether you believe marijuana is a gateway drug or not, there is enough evidence that it is and why not protect our kids and our community from something that is destructive."