With a date for the legalization of non-medical cannabis set for later this year, Vancouver city council this week made changes to its bylaw to accommodate the sale of recreational marijuana within the city.
Last week Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canadians will be able to legally purchase and consume non-medicinal marijuana as of Oct. 17.
And following a public hearing Tuesday night, council unanimously approved amending the zoning and development bylaw — changing the definition of “medical marijuana related use” to “cannabis store”—to allow for the sale of recreational pot in the city.
“This change is the next step to bring our city into compliance with both the provincial regulations and federal legalization framework,” said Kathryn Holm, chief licence inspector.
As of Oct. 17, stores will be able to sell dried and fresh cannabis, as well as oils, seeds and seedlings. However, all products will have to be acquired from a federally-approved producer through the provincial distribution system.
Additionally, Holm said, all cannabis stores in Vancouver “will be required to apply for, and obtain, a municipal development permit and business licence, as well as a new provincial cannabis retail outlet business licence.”
In 2015, Vancouver became the first municipality to adopt regulations, and issue business licences, to marijuana dispensaries. While this week’s change allows for the sale of recreational cannabis, the rest of the regulations remain the same.
Dispensaries and compassion clubs can only operate within commercial zones and must be at least 300 metres away from schools, community centres, neighbourhood houses, youth facilities and other cannabis retailers.
There are currently more than 100 marijuana dispensaries in the city. Of those only 19 are fully compliant with the city’s bylaws and are operating legally, having obtained both land use approval and a business licence, Holm said. Another 27 have land use approval but still need a business licence, and 75 are operating outside the land use regulations.
Kaye Krishna, general manager of development, buildings and licensing, said the city continues to issue fines weekly and, to date, has issued injunctions against 53 illegal dispensaries. The majority of those, she said, have agreed to take part in a test case set to be heard in B.C. Supreme Court in September and have agreed to follow the court ruling.
Krishna said the case is expected to also provide “strong rules and guidance” around regulating cannabis retailers.
jkerr@vancourier.com
