Retail Cannabis Licence Debated

PRINCE GEORGE – It was primarily a housekeeping matter. Re-work the City’s retail liquor sales bylaws to include cannabis. But one of the bylaw amendments generated a lot of discussion. Administration suggested a business licence fee of $5,000 for cannabis retail and cannabis production.

But a motion was put forward to reduce that fee to $1,000.

“We want to encourage business in the community,” said Councillor Brian Skakun, who said the City should make it easier to do business. “Cannabis is here and we want to work with these entrepreneurs.”

Administration argued that business licence fees are based on anticipated cost recovery for things like policing and bylaw services.