COMOX, B.C. – City Cannabis’s dream of opening a non-medical cannabis retail store at the Comox Mall has taken another step closer to reality.
On Wednesday, Comox Council recommended that a non-medical cannabis retail store license be issued for City Cannabis Corporation.
Mayor Russ Arnott spoke about next steps with the the MyComoxValleyNow.com newsroom today.
“I imagine within a couple months we’ll know,” he said. “We’ll send the information (along) to the Liquor and Cannabis Board with our recommendation and then however long it takes them (to decide). But I would imagine in a couple months we’ll see something moving in there, if it is approved.”
One of the requirements that must be met before a license is issued under the Cannabis Control and Licensing Act, is a positive recommendation from the local government and/or Indigenous nation in the area in which the proposed retail store is located, according to the LCRB.
The proposed store would be located within the Comox Centre Mall at 215 Port Augusta Street.
According to a town planning report, the general impact on the community, if the application is approved, would include:
- diversify services available to Comox residents, particularly as a walkable designation for the growing residential neighbourhood within the town’s downtown core; and
- Strengthen downtown Comox’s commercial base with proposed hours of operations (10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.) comparable to that of Comox Centre Mall businesses.
In a letter to council, City Cannabis CEO Krystian Wetulani said “we believe there will be no negative impact on the community” if the application is approved.
“City Cannabis is a well-respected, established company with goals of becoming the premier cannabis retailer in Canada,” Wetulani wrote. “The mission for City Cannabis is to make the healing power of cannabis accessible to all people and break the stigma surrounding cannabis. By creating a beautiful, clean and modern cannabis boutique supported by knowledgeable and friendly budtenders, we wish to be the go-to store for all things cannabis in the cities of Canada.”
Arnott said non-medical cannabis retailers are part of an up-and-coming industry.
“It’s been legalized and I don’t see it being a detriment to our community or to that mall,” the mayor added. “I think we need to embrace these types of businesses and see how they make out.”
