Business group says cannabis licence fees are too high

The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce says exorbitant business licence fees charged to local cannabis shops should fall in line with those of other retail businesses.

The annual licence fee for the stores was set at $2,000 nearly three years ago by the previous council, along with a $5,000 application fee.

“Unless the city can demonstrate that retail cannabis shops place undue financial pressure on city resources such as policing or bylaw compliance, then there is no justification for $2,000 a year, particularly at a time when our community and economy depend on recovery from the pandemic,” Chamber President Krystin Kempton stated in a letter to council.

“Maintaining such a high business licence fee could threaten the viability of entrepreneurs and employment opportunities,” said Kempton.