County approves first permit for cannabis retail sales

The first development permit has been approved for a cannabis retail store in the Clairmont industrial area.
 
The County of Grande Prairie amended bylaws in August 2018 that would allow business owners to start preparing for the legalization of recreational marijuana on October 17. Director of Planning and Development, Nick Lapp says the process has been very smooth for the County.
 
“We really relied on our online engagement survey that we conducted in most of 2018, through winter and spring. We really looked for people’s feedback on what they thought was appropriate setbacks,” says Lapp.
 
Marijuana shops have to be 500-metres from provincial health care facilities, schools, daycares, municipal reserves and commercial recreation facilities. Liquor stores and stores selling weed have to be 100-metres apart. Cannabis stores have to have a 100-metre space between them as well.
 
He adds that the store in Clairmont could be open for the October date if they receive their licenses from the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission. There are two other applications being processed by the county.