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By Justine Kelsie

City Council to weed through cannabis bylaws Tuesday night

May 22, 2018 | 6:19 AM

Marijuana will be the main topic in Council Chambers Tuesday evening as Councillors work to make decisions on proposed bylaw amendments. 

City Administration is working on changes to four bylaws in relation to cannabis which encompass where it can be smoked, where businesses will be able to set up shop, and how many plants people can grow at home.

Manager of Strategic Communications with the City Shane Bourke says the delegation segment of the meeting is open for anyone to speak in support or opposition to proposed changes. Leafwise, Carswell Planning, URBN Leaf Cannabis, and Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce are all planning to speak on the topic.

“Although it mainly involves federal and provincial legislation, the City has been given the opportunity to look at the location of retail outlets, regulations regarding consumption, and hours of business for potential retail locations in the city,” said Bourke.

If passed as is, the bylaws would direct shop hours to be from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. as well as a buffer zone of 150 metres from an elementary school, among other tweaks to the rules. The City will also be accepting marijuana retail business license applications starting Wednesday if all the changes get the stamp of approval.

“As always, council will use their lens and ensure that our proposal aligns with community expectations. If there is further work to be done, that will come up at a subsequent council meeting and we won’t accept applications from retail outlets until all bylaws are passed.”

Local governments have the authority to set buffer zones between cannabis businesses, regulate store hours, and regulate public consumption restrictions.

The meeting goes at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall and is open to the public. 

by Justine Kelsie