As the legalization of marijuana nears, the City of Victoria is exploring the idea of cannabis lounges, modelled after a pilot project in Denver.
A motion being introduced by Coun. Ben Isitt will be discussed by councillors at their Aug. 9 meeting. It requests City staff to look at local clean air regulations and compare them with the situation in Denver, where cannabis lounges opened after the state legalized marijuana.
B次元官网网址淣ow that itB次元官网网址檚 going to be legal in two-and-a-half months, there are questions of where itB次元官网网址檚 appropriate to consume the substance, particularly for people who canB次元官网网址檛 use it in their homes,B次元官网网址� said Isitt, who is also a Capital Regional District director. B次元官网网址淪ome may think they can go outside, but with CRD regulations, we have pretty strict rules with the Clean Air Bylaw.B次元官网网址�
The bylaw mandates that no one can smoke or vape any substance within seven metres of a door, on a patio, or any public spaces including playing fields, playgrounds and public squares.
If IsittB次元官网网址檚 motion passes, staff would report back to council in the fall and advise whether the City should move forward with the plan.
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While owners of detached homes can smoke on or inside their own property, renters and owners of townhouses and condominiums are restricted by landlord and strata rules.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a certain unfairness that only people who own their own [single family] homes can consume it [on the premises],B次元官网网址� Isitt said. B次元官网网址淚t makes you ask, B次元官网网址榮hould people be permitted to consume it in a social setting?B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�
While hundreds of restaurants, bars, lounges and private clubs across Greater Victoria allow for alcohol consumption, currently none of these establishments would be able to accommodate cannabis smoking due to the CRD bylaw.
Isitt noted that new provincial regulations ban cannabis use in workplaces or indoors B次元官网网址� the same as for smoking cigarettes B次元官网网址� but he suggested a possible work-around could be to establish cannabis patios set back from sidewalks, streets and neighbouring windows. B次元官网网址淎 good option would be a downtown space with a courtyard where employees wouldnB次元官网网址檛 have to provide support in that area,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淢aybe somewhere with a self-serving food or coffee station.B次元官网网址�
While the close proximity of buildings in VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 downtown core wouldnB次元官网网址檛 allow for many cannabis lounges meeting these specifications, Isitt is hopeful that new buildings and businesses outside the core could be established.
B次元官网网址淚 think there are a number of potential sites, and weB次元官网网址檝e just got to figure out what the rules should be,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭he advantage of a pilot project is rules can be implemented on an interim basis.B次元官网网址�
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With cannabis shifting from a black market substance, to a grey market, to completely legal, Isitt doesnB次元官网网址檛 anticipate a large jump in use, but he would like to see more options available for cannabis users.
B次元官网网址淚t will create a stronger desire to consume the legal substance in a legitimate way,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲e should have reasonable regulations on where that could be consumed, as well as the option of regulating a kind of business in a controlled way, excluding minors and keeping workers safe.B次元官网网址�
