After losing a ping pong ball lottery which granted endorsements to 2 downtown cannabis stores, Buddy’s place was granted a 3 year temporary use permit by the City of Nelson.
City Planner Alex Thumm says, although the business can apply for an extension, the purpose of it is so the business owner has extra time to comply with the city’s zoning laws:
“The whole kind of theory of it is that the business, in the time the permit is valid for – three years, is going to find another way to come under compliance. It might mean amending the zoning bylaw, or at least planning to do so, or it could mean changing locations” Â
Councilor Brittny Anderson proposed the extension because she feels that the cannabis industry plays a major economic factor in Nelson, and that businesses need more time to adapt to the new laws, post-legalization:
“There are a lot of hoops to jump through. There’s a lot of paperwork. It’s very expensive and I think, as a community, we’ve been relying on the cannabis industry to uplift us economically. These businesses right now that are operating downtown as we transition, I think its going to be a real challenge for them.”
As of now only 2 cannabis retail stores will be officially endorsed for Nelson’s Downtown core.
However, the demand remains high as Nelson city manager Kevin Cormack announced on Monday that 2 other applicants want to set up non-medical cannabis stores downtown.