Politicians hear feedback on cannabis store zones

Saskatoon residents will likely know by the end of May where retail marijuana outlets can locate in the city.

That’s when city council is scheduled to make a final decision on zoning laws that will outline where retail outlets and production facilities can locate.

A city council committee Monday heard various people weigh in on the proposed regulations. The new rules could include a 160-metre (about one block) buffer zone between cannabis retailers and elementary and high schools, parks, community centres, daycares, public libraries and other pot shops.

Tracey Grand’Maison, who operates Herb Man Hydroponics on Idylwyld Drive, said if her business is awarded one of the licences by the province, they would have to relocate. The strip mall in which the shop is located backs on to a park with two ball diamonds.

“Prohibition is over,” Grand’Maison told council’s planning, development and community services committee.

She suggested the buffer zone apply to playgrounds rather than parks. The City of Saskatoon’s general manager of community services, Randy Grauer, suggested trying to find an exemption for parks could be difficult, given the different amenities. He urged the definition be left as it is for now and it could be revisited later.

Coun. Darren Hill asked whether parks could be exempted from a blanket buffer zone so city hall could decide on individual cases. Grauer said it’s possible.

Hill alone cast a symbolic vote against the city report outlining the options, saying “we are being too protective of our youth.”

“For us to think there’s no cannabis consumption now (in schools) would be ridiculous,” Hill said.

The report will move on to be considered by city hall’s municipal planning commission on May 8 before moving to city council for a vote on May 28. Marijuana is expected to become legal in Canada some time this summer.

One of the decisions yet to be made is whether the Broadway business district should be exempted from the one-block buffer zone for schools since the placement of two schools along the strip would prohibit any pot shops.

City administration has recommended a 60-metre buffer be considered for Broadway.

But Dr. Julie Kryzanowski of the Saskatchewan Health Authority argued against an exemption for Broadway. She also said the health authority opposes cannabis retailers locating on university or college campuses, although the authority does back the legalization and regulation of marijuana.

DeeAnn Mercier, executive director of the Broadway Business Improvement District, argued in favour of the exemption. She said given the lottery system the chances are slim a business on Broadway will be granted a licence to operate anyway.

Saskatoon is receiving seven retail licences out of 20 being granted by the province.

Randy Pshebylo, executive director of the Riversdale Business Improvement District, said he thinks marijuana should be treated the same as alcohol. But he called the buffer zone separating pot shops from each other “a must.”

Under the rules proposed in the report, cannabis production facilities would be allowed in heavy industrial areas and could be considered in light industrial areas.