Public hearing on cannabis bylaws draws sparse response
The city’s proposed bylaws and policy outlining how the city will regulate cannabis sales and production passed through the public hearing stage without major controversy on Monday night.
A trio of business partners who have their eye on establishing a retail outlet in the city showed up to commend council members on their decision to reduce the fee for a business license to $1,000 from $5,000.
They also gave council assurance they intend to run a viable operation that is “safe and inviting” and maintains a high level of integrity.
There was discussion over some technical issues raised by two Prince George residents in a letter to council.
They questioned the need for a clause in the business regulation and licensing bylaw addressing ventilation in retail stores, saying the product will not produce an odour.
“Think of cigarettes, they are sealed and you cannot smell tobacco through the packaging,” they said.
“The same will be for cannabis. At this time, retail businesses will not be allowed to open any packages, customers will not be able to smell, touch or try the product before purchase.”
They also noted that while the bylaw requires an applicant to show proof the business has obtained applicable federal and provincial certification, there is no such thing as federal certification.
“The federal government has made the initial law, with each province to amend and change as they see fit, after that, it is up to the municipal government,” they said.
When asked by a city councillor for a response, planning and development general manager Ian Wells said the provisos were included as redundancies to make sure the city has the power to enforce those measures should there be a need.
Noting retailers can be no closer than 1.6 kilometres to each other, Mayor Lyn Hall asked for clarity on how applications to set up shop near a school or daycare would be treated. Like all other applications, Wells said they would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, “because you could be 500 metres from a school and across a four-lane highway.”
Also noting applicants must pay a $7,500 fee to the provincial Liquor Control and Licensing Branch, Hall also asked if applicants will be able to get a sense of how many others are ahead of them in the process so they can decide if it’s worth going ahead and risk losing that money.
Wells said providing specific details would probably not be possible because that would breach confidentiality and was not sure if the fee to the LCLB would be refunded should council turn down an application.
However, he said he could get confirmation.
The related bylaws and policy will be up for final reading on Oct. 15, two days before cannabis becomes legal in Canada. With the public hearing closed, council can no longer receive new information on the bylaws without risking the need to hold another public hearing, it was noted.