Time is of the essence to ensure City of Powell River is ready for Government of BC’s licensing of cannabis sales, according to senior city planner Daniella Fergusson.
On July 31, in a report to committee of the whole, Fergusson focused on cannabis sales to the public through zoning, business licensing and public consumption bylaws.
Fergusson said the planning department is seeking committee direction on a number of items.
In her report, cannabis sales would not be banned in Powell River, but there would be a separation distance of 300 metres between cannabis outlets, liquor stores and places where children frequent, with a 150-metre exception along Marine Avenue.
As for the number of retail outlets, councillors Russell Brewer, Karen Skadsheim and Rob Southcott all said they would support a cap of between five and seven stores within the city boundaries.
Regarding public consumption, while still a grey area, the report stated that smoking would only be allowed on private property for reasons of bylaw enforcement.
One of the more dramatic changes would be the annual business licence cost for cannabis shops. Currently, the city bases fees on the number employees or square footage of a business.
By that calculation, Fergusson said the annual business licence would be in the range of $180 for home-based businesses to the maximum fee the city now charges of approximately $1,500 for enterprises such as Catalyst Paper Corporation and big box retailers.
The cost for a cannabis outlet licence would be higher.
“We’re proposing $2,000 for the annual business license fee,” said Fergusson. “There’s two reasons for that. Senior levels of government are expecting us to help with public education on cannabis and expecting us to assist with enforcement, so we’re looking to do some cost recovery on that. ”
The federal government’s legalization on cannabis comes into effect on October 17.
