City of Vernon to consider changes to cannabis licensing regulations

Dec 13, 2021 | 6:00 AM

Vernon city council will be presented with a report reviewing retail cannabis licensing regulations that outlines plans for future cannabis stores looking to open in the city.

Vernon currently has 13 of those stores in the city.

City staff were tasked with investigating the industry following the end of a two-year moratorium on accepting new applications for cannabis shops after the maximum of six locations opened up in the primary business improvement area. Staff was also asked to look at creating a 500-metre proximity buffer between cannabis stores.

The report, which will be presented at the regular council meeting today (Dec. 13), outlines a number of bylaw amendments for council to consider.

Amend Zoning Bylaw #5000 to prohibit a new cannabis store from opening within a 500 metre buffer of an existing cannabis store;
Amend Delegation of Authority Bylaw #5727 to include the delegation of council’s authority to make recommendations and comments on Provincial applications for a retail cannabis store licence;
Amend the Fees and Charges Bylaw #3909 to reduce application and licensing fees associated with retail cannabis stores;
Amend Business Licence Bylaw #5480 to include a lapse provision for applications that are inactive for a twelve month period.

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The report stated that the current fee model for cannabis stores in Vernon is $5,000 for an application and $2,000 for a license. However, the report stated that processing a typical cannabis retail application requires the same amount of resources as that of a development variance permit and a zoning amendment application, which ranges from $1,100 and $1,400.

Staff recommend amending the fees and charges to align cannabis retail applications to have a similar ‘user pay’ model as those other two processes use. It’s also suggested that annual licensing fees be adjusted to be the same as retail liquor stores.

Staff is recommending council receive the report for information.

by Liam Verster

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