By Pete McIntyre / KISS FM Vernon

Pot shop reaction mixed to City of Vernon regulation bylaw

Oct 25, 2017 | 10:28 AM

VERNON, B.C. — Reaction is mixed from Vernon marijuana dispensaries about the city’s plan to issue temporary use permits to try and regulate the shops.

Matt Nicholas, manager of Black Crow Herbal Solutions, supports it.

It’s definitely a good thing to regulate them and not have so many because there are so many people out there that aren’t doing the right thing, and they’re just looking to make a quick buck on it,” Nicholas tells Kiss FM

However, dispensary owner Russ Stevenson feels it’s a ploy by the city to get rid of some of the outlets, especially those in the downtown.

“They’ve had a real problem with having them down in the main core where they are trying to focus on family related business and so on, and it’s just not where they want them,” says Stevenson.

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Nicholas has run Black Crow for over three years in Vernon.

He says they have a strong, loyal customer base, and have worked with the city.

“We were one of the four dispensaries in town that actually had a business license in the beginning, and went to the city and asked to get permission.”

He says the market is over-saturated with cannabis shops.

“There shouldn’t be 12 to 14 shops in Vernon We’re too small. It’s just someone trying to make a quick buck, so to me, I think it’s a good thing and it will weed-out some of the other ones.”

The city plans to develop a bylaw that would shut the dispensaries down but they could apply for a temporary use license.

“That will allow us to get in to the business and look at any safety issues, fire inspection and Interior Health — whatever we need to do — until the government actually comes up with the rules,” says Vernon Mayor Akbal Mund.

It could be several months before the bylaw if passed.