A local business is trying to transform the image of a stereotypical cannabis user.
Trees Dispensary, which has multiple locations on the Island including Oak Bay, Victoria, Nanaimo and Duncan, is looking to expand to the West Shore and bring a new face to those who use medicinal and recreational marijuana.
The business recently submitted a proposal to the City of Langford to open two storefront locations B次元官网网址� one in the Millstream Village area and a second location bordered by Sooke Road and Page Avenue near the Happy Valley area that would be part of a mixed-use development in the future.
In addition to the storefront, the dispensary is proposing to expand its ancillary health and wellness services and are hoping to offer yoga, acupuncture, and art therapy to members, as well.
B次元官网网址淲e want to offer different sorts of services that would align our business model more towards peopleB次元官网网址檚 health and wellness, sort of change the image of cannabis users in the minds of people,B次元官网网址� said Alex Robb, general manager of Trees, adding theyB次元官网网址檙e currently looking at adding an adjacent yoga studio to their Yates Street location as well.
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B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e looking at a new image and culture of cannabis use that is more in line with athleticism, art history, that kind of lifestyle than the Cheech and Chong idea thatB次元官网网址檚 in a lot of peopleB次元官网网址檚 heads.B次元官网网址�
In the past, the City of Langford has taken a strict approach when it comes to illegal dispensaries popping up through the municipality. However, with the impending legalization of recreational marijuana, council decided in April to allow up to five cannabis retailers to set up shop in the municipality through a temporary use permit.
But if businesses want to do so, they have to adhere to strict guidelines. Businesses cannot be located within 500 metres of any other store where the retail sale of cannabis for non-medicinal use has been authorized, cannot be within 300 metres of any school or group daycare, and within 50 metres of any land zoned R1 (one-family residential) or R2 (one- and two-family residential), except within the designated City Centre.
In addition, businesses cannot be located within 150 metres of Centennial, Veterans Memorial, or City Centre parks, as well as the Westhills YMCA, any regional or provincial park, or Langford, Glen or Florence lakes.
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Coun. Lillian Szpak said itB次元官网网址檚 a conservative approach that allows the City to control the number of dispensaries when legalization occurs.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e looking for some sort of partnership from them in terms of what can they offer the City in compensation for what we consider to be the potential for increased RCMP costs, bylaws costs and so on,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e basically taking a positive, but conservative approach. One that has opportunity but one that is mindful of the concerns of the community and weB次元官网网址檙e taking responsibility through our policy.B次元官网网址�
With a temporary use permit, if there are complaints from neighbours or the business is not compliant with regulations, the City has the ability to shut it down.
Robb is optimistic about the proposal Trees submitted to council.
B次元官网网址淲e thought Langford would be a great opportunity. A lot of our existing customers live in Langford and they travel to Victoria in order to buy their medicinal cannabis products,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭his puts us closer to their homes B次元官网网址� IB次元官网网址檓 quite optimistic. IB次元官网网址檓 really looking forward to hearing some feedback.B次元官网网址�
The City will likely review the proposals in-camera, said Szpak, who estimates the first store could open within the next few months.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e not talking about a year. WeB次元官网网址檙e not in to slowing people down,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a balance here B次元官网网址� open for business and responsibility.B次元官网网址�
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