Survey asks public thoughts on cannabis, interest in trying pot products.

With the legalization of marijuana on the horizon, the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) wants to know what the community thinks about cannabis and its products through an online survey.

The public will have until the end of June to fill out the anonymous survey, which will ask people about their attitudes and knowledge of cannabis, cannabis use and impacts — and if they are interested in trying cannabis edibles.

"Public health wants to know what are the local attitudes toward cannabis use, where are the information gaps and how do people plan to approach the legal use of a once banned drug," Nicola Mercer, medical officer of health and CEO of WDGPH, said in a release.

People's responses will help WDGPH look at the impacts of legalizing cannabis in the community and find ways to support residents through programs and services.

Will help programs, services

It will also help public health create safety guidelines for consumers, particularly around edibles. 

Amy Estill, interim manager of healthy communities and public policy for WDGPH, told CBC K-W they plan to share survey findings with local partners.

"There will be a role for us to play in working with community partners, to help inform programs and services that they set up to look at things like harm reduction programs and treatment programs around substance use, including cannabis," she said.

The survey is open to anyone living in the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph area, including teens 16 and up.

"They are really an importance audience for cannabis messaging," Estill said.

One of Ontario's first cannabis retail stores will be in Guelph. The store, which will be overseen by the LCBO, will be located at 304 Stone Rd., across from Stone Road Mall.

The LCBO said locations have not yet been finalized for Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge.