The City of Steinbach will hold a plebiscite on whether to allow retail cannabis stores in the community. The vote will be held as part of the municipal election on October 24th. City councillor John Fehr made the motion at the city council meeting Tuesday evening.

"Municipalities are able to conduct a plebiscite to govern the sale of cannabis. Because it's an election year, I think it's probably not a bad thing. It's not going to cost us a lot of money and we'll get to hear what the people have to say, whether it's good or whether it's bad. Be it resolved that Steinbach conduct a plebiscite on October 24th using the following question: Should licensed retail cannabis stores be allowed in Steinbach? There are two answers, Yes, they should be allowed or No, they should not be allowed."

City council voted 6-1 to approve the move. Mayor Chris Goertzen was opposed, noting he simply does not like plebiscites to decide issues.

Fehr says the results of the plebiscite will be binding, meaning a vote of 50.1 per cent or more in favour of cannabis sales would force the city to allow them. Likewise, 50.1 per cent or more opposed would force the city to ban them.