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Sechelt seeks input on cannabis-shop licences

Now that a cannabis production and retail zoning bylaw has been adopted, the District of Sechelt is looking to move ahead with referrals about four applications to the province for non-medical cannabis retail licences.
cannabis

Now that a cannabis production and retail zoning bylaw has been adopted, the District of Sechelt is looking to move ahead with referrals about four applications to the province for non-medical cannabis retail licences. 

The provincial regulations for cannabis retail allow municipalities a veto over any applications in their jurisdiction. 

Sechelt’s new zoning requirements for cannabis production, processing and sales follow council’s April 3 adoption of a policy on cannabis retail that sets out general requirements and allowable locations, restricting retailers to the downtown core and Wilson Creek business area. 

When the bylaw was adopted Sept. 18, development planning manager Ian Holl told council that the district would be in a position to start prioritizing referrals from the province for retail licences. 

Mayor Darnelda Siegers said, “I think we need to get this moving forward so we can get these retail establishments open so they can provide product to the people who want it.” 

The district is now seeking input on applications from four companies: Coastal Green, which wants to set up in Wilson Creek; 420 Hemp Shop on Cowrie Street; Sun Coast Culture on Teredo Street; and Weeds Glass and Gifts on Wharf Avenue. 

Weeds, 420 and Sun Coast Culture were previously granted temporary use permits for their locations, but were cautioned over the summer by the province’s Community Safety Team against selling product until they have licences. 

Management at Weeds said at one point that it would be closing the location permanently. 

So far, only one cannabis retailer on the Coast – Coastal Bay Cannabis in Gibsons – has been granted a provincial licence. The government’s own retail branch, BC Cannabis Stores, confirmed recently that it plans to open a store at the shíshálh Nation’s Tsain-ko Centre. 

The District of Sechelt is inviting the public to submit comments on the four applications to planning@sechelt.ca until Nov. 5 at 4 p.m.