Buffer zones established for Vernon cannabis retailers

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“If we follow the 500 metres and these things change hands or whatever, then you are going to, in essence, end up with one (store). And I don’t think it makes sense in our commercial areas to sanitize like that. What the concern was in the beginning, if I remember, was we didn’t want a dozen, we didn’t want people to come locate in huge numbers. The market sorts itself out and we have a whole bunch of empty stores.”

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In discussion with councillors, Cumming said if a current retailer would close, then whoever would be approved for a license in the future would be restricted to where they could open and operate a retail cannabis store.

He also said council should not be weighing in on what businesses operate in the downtown commercial area, comparing it to weighing in on how many jewelry stores should be allowed to operate.

However, many councillors disagreed with Cumming, including Akbal Mund, Kari Gares and Scott Anderson.

Mund said feedback gathered from downtown businesses and residents found they didn’t want more cannabis retailers opening up and taking over the downtown core, though Cumming noted the existing bylaw.

Gares stated that restricting cannabis retailers is not comparable to other retailers in the area.

“We get that all the time where people ask ‘What’s the difference? You allowed all these coffee shops to be beside one another, or jewelry stores as eluded to.’ Well, I can tell you that none of them are controlled substances, so I think we shouldn’t forget that very big distinction,” said Gares.

She noted that liquor stores are highly regulated with a thousand metre buffer required between locations, adding that a moratorium has been set on liquor licenses in downtown Vernon.

Gares stated that the 500 metre buffer is to set the parameter for the future, not to restrict what is already in place.

Anderson stated that despite it being legal, cannabis is a controlled substance and it needs to be more regulated than other businesses. He also said there is still a stigma toward cannabis, and that people don’t want to see those shops downtown.

Councillor Kelly Fehr argued in favour of reducing the buffer in downtown, saying cannabis is a lot less impactful than alcohol in terms of death rates and health and policing costs. He also stated that council should not be regulating what retailers do, and instead let the market sort it out.

During the discussion, Cumming expressed concern with the proposed lapse provision, and clarified that the provisions apply to retailers who have had their applications approved locally but are still awaiting provincial approval.

He suggested a friendly amendment to allow for a 24-month provision, as many applicants have been waiting longer than a year for provincial approval. Council agreed with that amendment.

Following the discussions, the motion to establish the 500 metre buffer between shops, give council authority to make recommendations for licence applications and having a lapse period of 24 months was put forward for a vote. It was passed by a six to one margin, with Fehr being the sole vote against.