On August 10, the provincial government opened the process for applications to operate private cannabis retail outlets. City of Powell River is not aware of any local applications being made to the province, according to senior city planner Daniella Fergusson.
“But we’re assuming the existing dispensaries in town will apply under the program,” said Fergusson.
Four dispensaries are currently operating within the city.
Powell River has its hands full getting ready for legalization, including education, enforcement and public consumption issues. Most importantly, zoning bylaws are necessary to regulate how many and where cannabis outlets can be in the city.
“We need to have zoning in place that allows cannabis retail stores in order for our council to give thumbs up or thumbs down to any potential cannabis retailer,” said Fergusson.
The provincial licence application is step one, then the onus is on the city for much of the process, according to Fergusson’s report to committee of the whole on July 26.
“The province sends out to the relevant local government to review the application,” said Fergusson, who is taking the lead on the cannabis file for the city’s planning department. “We don’t have zoning in place right now but a report has been given to committee of the whole to consider zoning updates so we can then review those applications as they come in.”
The approval process done at the municipal level will be on a case-by-case basis where a prospective retail owner/operator applies to the city for local approvals, including zoning, similar to those that regulate liquor stores and breweries, according to Fergusson’s report.
A zoning bylaw amendment was brought before council at its regular meeting on Thursday, August 16, which is after the deadline for the Friday edition of the Peak.
Once zoning is in place to allow cannabis retail outlets in certain areas, then approval is at city council's discretion to evaluate each application. Some public consultation will be included.
Council will support or oppose the applicant and that decision will be forwarded to the BC Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch.
“The licence requires input and a positive recommendation from the city for where the proposed store is located,” said Fergusson, adding that a cannabis retail store must be a standalone business.
The province does a final check and a licence will be awarded, followed by an application for a city business licence.
The process is repeated for each application.
