The municipality of Summerland is ready for marijuana legalization with a bylaw and policy in place governing retail sales of cannabis.
Linda Tynan, Summerland’s chief administrative officer, said the municipality’s zoning bylaw allows retail sales of marijuana in the downtown commercial area and at the Summerfair Shopping Centre.
However, the municipality’s policy also places limitations on the retail sales of marijuana. Tynan said stores will not be allowed close to schools or other places where children gather.
Applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
“The province will not allow opening any that we say no to,” Tynan said.
She added that there are no limits on the number of marijuana retail shops allowed within Summerland, nor are there limits on how close one shop may be to another. She said the market will play a factor in determining how many applications and how many retail shops will eventually operate within the community.
At present, there are no marijuana sales applications before Summerland’s municipal staff, but Tynan anticipates some will be coming.
“We know there are sellers interested in getting their licenses from the province,” she said.
A provincial license and municipal approval are both required before a store is allowed to open up.
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