By James Peters

Marijuana shop zoning regulations sent to public hearing

Apr 17, 2018 | 3:15 PM

KAMLOOPS — Proposed bylaw amendments that would bring cannabis sales in Kamloops in line with alcohol sales have been forwarded to a public hearing.

The amendments would specify which zones can accommodate marijuana shops when they become legal later this year, and set out buffer zones to keep the stores away from schools and from each other.

Development, Engineering and Sustainability Director Marvin Kwiatkowski told city council Tuesday it will still be able to approve individual applications, as it currently does with liquor licenses.

Kwiatkowski says it’s important that city find the right balance in how many pot shops are allowed.

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: The icon who is Taylor Swift

15h ago

Two and Out

PETERS: Business owners shouldn't be held responsible for nuisance calls

Nov 15, 2024

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: November 14, 2024

Nov 15, 2024

“If we have too many restrictions, if we only have four or five stores in town, we may have an underground market that will continue,” said Kwiatkowski. “Too many stores, of course, may have other negative impacts. If we cluster them too much, if we have three or four on one block, that could lead to other potential issues.”

“Given these stipulations, if those were adopted and council was finding there are just too many stores, there are some impacts that are concerning, at any point in time council could say there are enough stores. We could cap it at 12, we could cap it at 15… whatever number we wish,” he added.

It’s proposed that marijuana shops be allowed in four commercial zones: CBD, C-1T, C-1 and C-5.

The city is proposing the shops be kept a minimum of 150 metres from schools and 150 metres from each other.

A public hearing on the issue will be held next month.