Too many pot shops
Kate Bouey - Sep 19, 2017 - Biz Releases

Image: Thinkstock.com

Vernon councillor Dalvir Nahal has expressed concern over the explosion in marijuana dispensaries and related businesses.

While pot shops have been open in Vernon for the past three years, many more have opened over the past 18 months, including in the downtown core and even at strip malls.

“It seems like they have doubled or tripled,” Nahal said during a council meeting on Monday. “How many are operating with a license?”

“None is operating with a license that allows them to sell marijuana,” answered Kim Flick, community infrastructure and development manager.

“The city does not license illegal activities,” said Will Pearce, the city’s chief executive officer.

The lack of guidance from Ottawa appears to be a major part of the problem.

Pearce said the city was waiting for a clearer picture from the federal government which plans to legalize marijuana sales in some form.

“It’s getting a little bit chaotic,” Pearce admitted. “There are no rules.”

He also advised that while some municipalities do periodic crackdowns on the dispensaries, “the RCMP are not getting a lot of support from Crown counsel.”

During an interview later, Flick confirmed that some of the marijuana dispensaries were issued business licenses but that they were not renewed at the beginning of the year.

“The first ones applied under a legitimate use adhering to requirements of the business license. Subsequently, we found they were selling marijuana,” Flick said.

While Nahal said she was not against the businesses, she admitted to concern over the proliferation of the pot shops throughout Vernon and the lack of regulation.


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