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| The City's proposed zone for cannabis retail operations in the community (in purple), residents of Prince Rupert can engage in the dialogue on cannabis starting on November 13th with a community forum at Coast Mountain College (map from City of PR website) |
Tuesday's City Council session launched a two pronged approach to information sharing on cannabis with the public, with the City's Planner Zeno Krekic outlining the potential path forward when it comes to the licencing of cannabis retail operations in the city.
While making note of a city led information session planned for November, for his part the City Planner limited the scope of the review for council to just the zoning elements for potential retail sales operations.
With Mr. Krekic noting that discussion on the prospect of processing and cultivation prospects, are further elements that could be considered as a separate item in the future.
The main thrust of the retail zoning requirements will see retail opportunities limited to the downtown core area and Cow Bay, with no retail opportunities to be provided for in the city's other neighbourhood commercial pockets.
As well, in the retail zone proposed for those operations, a 75 metre distance restriction (about one city block) will be put in place between and retail stores.
Mr. Krekic also reminded council members that the regulatory oversight of licencing is the responsibility of the provincial government, which has its own list of regulations and requirements for prospective shop owners.
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| City Planner Zeno Krekic outlined the city's path forward towards the City's retail policies and bylaw for retail sales of cannabis(photo from City of PR video feed) |
Prior to taking questions from the council members, the Mayor observed that Tuesday was just the start of the process, and how a lot of the proposed regulations are subject to change following public feedback and review, reinforcing that the first opportunity for that feedback would come on November 13th at the college.
He also noted that the city would be putting more information and a video out through their social media options and the city website over the course of the next few days.
Mr. Brain observed that in addition to the opportunity to comment at the forum, that the city could also consider an online survey process to be used to compile public engagement.
When it came to questions, Councillor Thorkelson inquired about the prospect of marijuana cafes and other social activity options for the community.
Mr Krekic observed that a this point in time all that will be legal will be the opportunity to sell in a retail setting, and that you can't smoke on site, included in the regulations will be elements that limit consumption to a private premises, with smoking lounges still deemed to be illegal.
Though he noted that could change over the next few years.
Council Mirau asked about a procedural concern as to what a positive recommendation would be, with the City Planner explaining that would be a separate policy item, as well as with the business licence process that will be required, with hopes to have those elements clarified by the time of the Public Information session.
Councillor Cunningham picked up on the theme of the Business licence process and asked what elements such as security items that will be required as part of the approval process that the city will use.
Mr. Krekic outlined how some of those concerns still need to be clarified with provincial officials, again noting that he hopes to have more information on those issues at the time of the public meeting.
Councillor Randhawa suggested that in a quest for as much consultation as possible that the city provide commentary feedback forms at public locations such as the Civic Centre and the Library.
The Mayor picked up on that theme indicating that was some of his thinking as to how the City should go forward to seek out more comment from the public, stressing the need for the community to take part in the process to give Council an idea as to what they want to see in any bylaw and policy changes.
Mr. Krekic's full report to Council can be reviewed from the Agenda Package for the Tuesday council session starting at page thirteen.
You can view Mr. Krekic's presentation from the City's Video Archive starting at the nine minute mark.
The opening discussion points from the city material reinforce many of Mr Krekic's talking points on the theme, as well the city's documentation includes a flow chart to indicate how the City's overview fits into the larger scope of the process for application for business licence for the retail sale of cannabis within city limits.
Included as part of the cannabis plan roll out was an information video listed on both the City Facebook page and their YouTube portal.
The public forum to provide for your first feedback on the topic comes up on November 13th at Coast Mountain College on Fifth Street, the community engagement session takes place from 5:30 to 7:30PM
For more items of interest from Tuesday's City Council session see our Council Timeline Feature and Council Session archive.
Further background notes on Council Discussion topics can be found on Council Discussion Archive.
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