City councillors will decide on whether to opt in or out of allowing cannabis stores in the city at Monday's meeting.
The province has a $40 million fund to help municipalities with the costs of policing, education and public health initiatives.
City planner Bruce Bellows tells CKTB, St. Catharines will receive $76,000 whether it opts in or out.
And if it opts in before the Jan. 22 deadline, it will receive a second payment of $76,000.
He says if the city decides to not allow the stores, the second payment would be only $5,000.
Bellow says there could be more money from surplus federal excise duties from the sale of recreational cannabis.
If the governement's share of federal excise duties exceeds $100 million over the first two years, municipalities that opt in will get a 50 per cent share on any surplus.
A staff report going to council does not make any recommendations.