Two retail pot shops at Council

Apr 5, 2019 | 2:17 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – Two temporary use applications for two different non-government, cannabis sales shops are up for discussion at Monday night’s regular meeting of City Council. One of those proposed shops is Grasshoppers on George Street. 
The owners are inside painting and getting the shop ready for inspectors, should they get the temporary use licence. 
Sandy Przysieny realizes there are concerns, but there will be ample security in place to ensure there are as few problems as possible. Her application has eleven letters of support included in the Council bundle. But there isn’t support from Christina Watts, owner of Ridge Side Art a stone’s throw away.

“We don’t have bylaws in place that handle where the consumption can be. I mean, right now, they will be able to smoke [cannabis] where you can smoke [cigarettes]. With me, marketing to families, having children coming to my location for classes, it is a concern to me.”

She also notes that the downtown is becoming more vibrant, especially after office hours. Having something may jeopardize that is not the right fit for downtown. 

“I hear her concerns and I would love to speak to her one-on-one,” says Przysieny. “I think the whole point of everything becoming legalized is to make this so it doesn’t seem as criminal as it used to, right?”

In its report to Council, Administration explains the pursuit of a temporary use permits this way: “The impacts of a Cannabis License in this area of the community are unknown, given that no cannabis stores are currently open in Prince George. Council, therefore, has considered a Temporary Use Permit that would facilitate a retail cannabis use to allow the City of Prince George to gain an understanding of the extent of impacts a retail cannabis use will have on the community in this area.”

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