By Corey Fischer

Council Approves Bylaw Allowing Pot Shops

Feb 13, 2018 | 7:07 PM

Vernon council has passed a new bylaw that aims to give the city more control over medical pot dispensaries — and allow the stores to operate legally.

The bylaw requires the stores to apply for a temporary use permit, to have a business license, and be subject to city inspections.

Councilor Juliette Cunningham says it will be safer.

“They have to go through a process to make sure they’re meeting building codes and those kinds of issues, because before they were just popping up, and we had no idea how they were set-up.”

Only dispensaries open before last November 14th will be eligible to get a permit.

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“They’ll be working with staff, and if they meet those requirements, they will then be given a temporary use permit,” says Cunningham.

The bylaw will be in place until until new federal laws take effect later this year.

“We’re in the process of going through what bylaws we want, and I’m sure there will be meetings with the dispensaries to get a feel of what they feel would work well for the community as well,” says Mayor Akbal Mund.

Mund says edibles won’t be allowed, as they’re not part of the legalization in BC at this time.

by Corey Fischer