Council has adopted new regulations for cannabis to bring the District in line with new provincial regulations.
All official references to marijuana will be replaced by cannabis in the new laws, which aim to regulate both retail outlets and production.
At a discussion on July 17, Coun. Karen Elliott suggested that despite some criticism of the retail restrictions, the new bylaw allows for exceptions and can continue to evolve.
“There is a lot of support for cannabis retail. There is also a lot of nervousness in the community about how and what this will look like,” she said. “It’s not something everyone is comfortable with, but I think they will get there, so I think the use of buffers is a wise thing to do in the short term.”
Squamish has regulated dispensaries since 2016, and cannabis production since 2012.
The provincial government is set to officially legalize cannabis on Oct. 17, and the Liquor Distribution Branch will be the only wholesaler in the province. Licensed private retailers will continue to be allowed to operate in B.C.
“With the forthcoming legalization of cannabis, additional dispensaries are anticipated throughout the District,” reads the report submitted to council.
The new laws adopted Tuesday add to already existing restrictions on where stores can open.
Although they will be allowed in existing retail zoning, new stores must obey “buffer” zones, including stores within 300 metres of Brennan Park.
The current limitations on marijuana retail will remain: currently not permitted within 300 metres of other dispensaries, 300 metres of schools and 300 metres from the Youth Centre and Skate Park on Buckley Avenue.
The current bylaw also bans marijuana retail from stores on Cleveland Avenue.
Cannabis retail will also be banned from the “Specialized Business Service Centre” or I-9 zoning, which is applied to parcels of land in the industrial park. Staff said the limitations on that zoning are to prevent traffic issues.
Bryan Raiser, who plans to move his current 99 North Medical Cannabis Dispensary from the south end of Second Avenue to near Nesters Market & Pharmacy across from Squamish Elementary, said he has a date in September for a variance.
“I have worked very hard begging everyone to comment on the new store location and have not found one member of the public or council who has a problem with my mall location, which is positive,” Raiser said.
Other new laws will also place restrictions on industrial facilities, including producing, growing, harvesting, drying, packaging, storing, shipping, disposing and laboratory use.
The report to council notes that “production in and around highly populated areas continues to be an issue in the District for adjacent residents.”
Cannabis growers will be required to be located at least 150 metres from schools and 60 metres from residential parcels. Growers must also be 200 metres from another cannabis production facility.
No production facilities will be permitted within the downtown area, although the new laws for both industrial and retail cannot be retroactively applied to existing businesses.
During the July 17 discussion, Coun. Jason Blackman-Wulff suggested future craft cannabis growers, rather than large industrial sites “might be a type of use conductive to good neighbors, but also a good economic development opportunity for our community.”
The facilities should also not cause glare, light, noise or odour that will affect neighbouring properties, according to the bylaw.
Council retains the option of granting a case-by-case exception to an industrial business or retail store that hopes to operate outside the bylaws, but the process will require an application and public feedback.
