Two of three cannabis retail applications approved by Penticton council

PENTICTON – Penticton’s retail cannabis sector may grow by another two stores following approval by Penticton city council today.

City planning manager Blake Laven presented three new cannabis retail applications to councillors for their approval at the regular council meeting today, Sept. 3.

Council gave the nod to two of the applications following a staff recommendation to approve all three, turning down a franchise location for Starbuds at 2150 Main St. due to its proximity to two other nearby outlets.

Councillors Frank Regehr and Katie Robinson expressed their disapproval at having three outlets within a block of each other.

Council did approve the Green House Cannabis Boutique at 310 Comox St., and the Completely Cannabis store application at 351 Westminster Ave. Laven told council there was little comment for or against the applications during the public consultation process.

Mayor John Vassilaki voiced singular opposition to all three applications. He said he couldn’t support changes in legislation that doubled the cap on the number of retail cannabis outlets in the city from seven to 14, saying that was too many for the city.

Eight other applications have already been approved prior to today’s decisions, two of which are in operation following the final provincial approval – Spirit Leaf and Cannabis Cottage. The province is the ultimate licensing authority, but won’t issue a permit without municipal approval.

With today’s council decision, 10 applications for retail cannabis shops have been approved by city council, leaving room for four more potential outlets.

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