City Clears The Air On Pot Shop Policy

The City of Vernon is taking action to make sure no new pot shops open before new federal rules on marijuana take effect next year.

Council has introduced policy to not allow any new shops to open as of Tuesday Nov. 14, and to increase the fines for any that operate without a business license.

Mayor Akbal Mund says the 12 existing dispensaries will be able to apply for temporary use permits.

“There is a lot of legal information and resources we have to go to to make sure we’re looking at the best case scenario for the community, and this is what we feel it is,” Mund tells Kiss FM.

Mund says the permits will allow the city to inspect the shops to make sure they’re operating up to code, and with the proper safety standards.

The existing shops will also have to agree to having a covenant on their property meaning they will have to apply for rezoning once new provincial regulations are in place by next year, and to cease operations at that site if unsuccessful.

Mund says it was previously thought existing pot shops would have to shut down for a few days as part of the new policy, but he now says that won’t be the case.