The votes in favour weren't unanimously passed at the council meeting, however, they approved a location for a cannabis retail store in Humboldt.

The City Council meeting that took place on November 13, voted 4-2 in favor for the store to be located at the Humboldt Commons. One of the two votes against the cannabis store, as a whole, was Councillor Michael Behiel.

"I appreciate that we need economic growth in Humboldt, but the growth is going to come at too steep of a cost both socially, economically and health-wise, that it's just not a worthy business to increase our stronghold within Humboldt," said Behiel.

The Social impact he is referring to is a concern over cannabis use leading to greater concerns. "I talked to people who are recovering from drug use and abuse and they all indicated to me that marijuana is a gateway drug and it's going to cause massive issues down the road."

Economically, Behiel figures the cost of the anticipated increase in the needs of certain services will also outweigh the growth of one single business. "The research that I've been in, suggests that we're looking at a massive increase in policing, healthcare and social services as a result of that. At present, we don't have any economic benefit other than bringing this business into town.  We're not even gaining the tax space because they're going into a leased premises, so realistically it's not going to bring short of a couple jobs into Humboldt." 

"I guess the easy way to say it is, when I see six letters from citizens, with five of them being against the store even being in Humboldt period, it's pretty clear that it's not just my opinion. It's the opinions of the citizens of Humboldt that cared enough to speak out as well. Personal feelings aside, I promised to represent the best interests of the citizens of Humboldt and that's what I'm trying to do."

The cannabis retail store, albeit with not all being in favor, expects to open its doors sometime in the early portions of 2019.