Local Community Advertising
It’s one thing to set a date for cannabis legalization, but actually opening a retail cannabis store is a whole different ballgame.
That’s the attitude of the City of Kelowna when it comes to private and government operated retail cannabis stores arriving in the city.
According to city planner Ryan Smith, retail cannabis stores in Kelowna may not be opening until next summer.
“A lot of work goes into regulating a new industry and opening a business, even though a date has been decided by Ottawa there will still be a waiting period locally,” said Smith.
"There are so many different regulatory aspects to opening these new stores that not many people have thought out. For example, even after a property owner gets a location rezoned for a cannabis business, it could take them six to eight months of tenant improvements before they can operate. It's going to take time."
The city is still in the process of deciding where exactly a cannabis retail store will be permitted to operate.
"City planners are working on several bylaw amendments that will be brought forth to city council in the next six weeks or so," explained Smith.
“A certain distance from schools, select parks and liquor stores are all going to be recommended and we will see where council lands on them.”
Property owners will be required to rezone before selling cannabis, however, proposed zoning control for cannabis retail stores could be similar to liquor stores according to Smith.
Kelowna's zoning plan shows only building with C-LR zoning can sell retail liquor.
Downtown
Considering there will be required distances from liquor establishments and parks, there's a chance Kelowna will not have a retail cannabis store downtown.
Here are the zoning plans for Kelowna's other major retail areas:
Pandosy Village
Central Kelowna
Hwy 33 - Rutland
For a full look at Kelowna's zoning layout, click here.
The conservative approach to cannabis retail stores is not being adopted by other municipalities across the province.
Kamloops was recently selected as the first location in the province due to the municipality’s readiness to zone for the retail operations.
B.C.'s first cannabis store will now open in a 3,000 square metre retail store Shopping Centre near downtown Kamloops.
In order to keep pace with federal and provincial regulations, the City of Kamloops decided to modify its business Licence and Regulation Bylaw and Zoning Bylaw.
While people will be allowed to legally smoke cannabis in select areas come Canda's legalization date on October 17, cannabis stores in Kelowna will likely take their time opening their doors to the public.
Local Community Advertising