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Saanich allows retail sale of recreational cannabis for specific zones

Amendments to the 2003 bylaw allows retail sale of recreational cannabis in Saanich
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(Black Press File photo)

Saanich tweaked a bylaw to legalize the retail sale of recreational cannabis in the same commercial zones where liquor is sold.

They approved the potential amendments Monday and held a public hearing Tuesday.

General commercial/liquor retail zones allow businesses such as liquor stores, medical services, rental and repair of household tools and appliances; offices, restaurants; beverage container depots; and adult and child daycares. The amendment adds non-medical cannabis retail stores to the list.

Saanich defines a non-medical cannabis retail store as “an establishment that engages in the retail sale, for non-medical purposes, of cannabis for consumption elsewhere than in the establishment.”

It also allows for recreational pot shops to operate legally in sites zoned for general commercial/liquor retail, shopping centers/liquor retail, civic core/liquor retail, high-density tourist accommodation/liquor retail, neighborhood public houses, urban mixed-use zones.

Saanich also requires a Cannabis/Liquor Licence Referral Application in addition to the required provincial licence. If zoning does not permit the retail sale of recreational cannabis, site-specific rezoning is required in addition to the provincial and municipal licensing applications.

sophie.heizer@saanichnews.com