By Justine Kelsie

City processing cannabis business license applications

Jul 11, 2018 | 3:58 PM

Twenty-seven cannabis businesses were hoping to be one of the first in Grande Prairie, but only 15 will receive the piece of paper that says they can sell marijuana.

City Planning and Development Manager Joe Johnson says a lottery style draw was done on Monday to determine two things; the order the businesses would be processed, and which would make up the 15.

“There are standards in the Land Use Bylaw that are dependent on other proposed retail outlets. If you are the first application to be reviewed, there are no other retail outlets to be measured against yet,” said Johnson.

Leaf Wise was picked first and will get that advantage.

Although the businesses numbered 16 through 27 were not put into the top 15, there is a chance they could take over one of the spots if another business doesn’t fill the requirements.

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“We will be looking to approve development permits. Due to the nature of the process, the development permit process could take anywhere between three and seven weeks.”

Johnson says he isn’t surprised with the number of applications. Prior to the lottery, the city was keeping a close eye on the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission website. With applications having to through them first, Johnson and his team knew at least 15 or more were bound to apply for a business license.