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Step closer to pot shops in Armstrong

Aug 15, 2019 | 6:00 AM

The City of Armstrong is trying to catch up to other communities that already have bylaws and policies in place when it comes to cannabis stores.

But Mayor Chris Pieper says there are some good reasons for that.

“We’ve been behind the eight ball on that for a couple reasons, one being we wanted to see how many mistakes everybody else made,”

Pieper told Vernon Matters.

The mayor said there are two serious applicants for retail shops and they could be in place within six months.

But a lot of work must be done before then.

During a session this week, council gave second and third reading to the cannabis retail store policy that would allow cannabis retail shops in the city’s commercial zones.

“Basically, we’ve just amended one of our policies that we have in our commercial areas as cannabis was never in it before, so this will allow sales in our community,” explained Pieper.

He said the city still has to get a rates and fees schedule and bylaws in place before applications are accepted.

The applicants must also apply to the province.

“By the time the applicants get their provincial approval we’ll probably have our bylaws in place,” he said, adding the proposed bylaws would have to go to a public hearing.

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