City of Powell River Council has recommended that the provincial liquor and cannabis regulation branch approve a cannabis retail store in Cranberry.
At the October 1 council meeting, councillors, by a four to two margin, gave approval to the cannabis retail store application, to be situated at 5712 and 5718 Manson Avenue. Mayor Dave Formosa declared a conflict because he holds an existing licence of this kind.
Councillor Maggie Hathaway said the RCMP do not support this application, stating this was the location of a previous illegal dispensary. She said a comment from the RCMP states that as the building owner, the applicant was either complicit in its operations or knew or should have known this building was being used for an illegal purpose. In the case of the latter, the police stated they cannot support an applicant who has wilfully turned a blind eye and permitted, as well as profited, from this “criminal venture.”
“I concur with these comments,” said Hathaway.
Councillor Cindy Elliott said it was also pointed out that the proponent went through a review and passed all tests involved for ensuring they were not involved in any organized crime.
“I believe city council had leniency around medical marijuana in past and the purpose was to give people a chance to apply and become legal,” said Elliott. “It is a bit of a contradiction to ask people to go the legal route and then when they do, we say we think you didn’t do it right in the past so we’re not going to let you go legal now. To me, it doesn’t make sense.
“The police stopped short of laying charges or doing anything that would lead us to believe that these people shouldn’t have a licence, so I’m in favour and support this.”
Councillor Jim Palm said the city received correspondence from an individual and he thought the email was pertinent to the decision council was considering.
Palm said the email reads that the person’s house borders on the location of the applicant. Below the writer is the building, where the applicant wants to operate a cannabis store.
“Imagine your home with these things bordering it,” said Palm, in reading the email, adding: “My house was here many decades before this building. It was considered a residential area. I find it disgusting to even consider pot shops. I’m against pot and the phoney excuse that it is a medicinal product. Pot is dangerous and can change brain chemistry and should only be used in extreme cases.”
Palm said the homeowner did not have problems until the former cannabis store was located in the building.
“If you think the shop is important, then have them open it next to your house,” said Palm, in reading the email. Palm said he was speaking against the motion.
Councillor Rob Southcott, who took over the chair in the mayor’s absence, said he grew up in Cranberry and when he grew up there, it was a bustling little community. He said he has seen evidence of that returning.
“I have not been aware of any complaints subsequent to our granting of recommendations to the liquor and cannabis regulations branch for the licensing of other locations,” said Southcott. “I’m not sure the contention that the way this operation is required to exist is going to be of a disturbance to the neighbourhood. They are regulated quite fastidiously.”
Southcott said he is not a user and never has been, but in a long career as a paramedic, he had maybe half a dozen calls that were directly related to cannabis use. He said a good percentage of his career was supported by alcohol use.
“I can’t say I object to cannabis and I have seen the benefits of medicinal cannabis,” said Southcott. “I don’t have a good enough reason to object to this. I also see it as support for local business.”
Director of planning services Thomas Knight said council was only being asked to give a referral, and at the end of the day, it was the province that will make the final decision.
“Whether you say yes or no, the final decision is with the province,” said Knight.
Councillor George Doubt said Cranberry is developing into a nice little commercial area and a walkable neighbourhood. Doubt said he thought the application was a reasonable thing and suits the city’s bylaws.
“It provides access to a cannabis store in an area that doesn’t have one,” said Doubt. “I am going to support this recommendation.”
Council carried the recommendation with councillors Hathaway and Palm opposed.
