By Cheryl Jahn

One cannabis store approved by Council

Apr 9, 2019 | 5:00 AM

PRINCE GEORGE – It’s a tale of two cannabis retail applications.
There were two applications before Council seeking temporary use permits.
The first was for a proposed store on Third Avenue. But, one after one, people who did and do work with Intersect Youth and Family Services came forward in opposition. They pointed out that there is a school with 32 students suffering from mental health and addictions directly across the street.
“This has been really challenging for me,” stated Councillor Brian Skakun, who says he was really swayed by the passion expressed by those in opposition. 
Councillor Terri MaConnachie voted in favour of the application, saying she had faith the proponents would operate a safe store.
But the application ultimately failed.
However, an application from Grasshopper Retail Inc passed with very little opposition. 
“Silence speaks volumes for me,” stated Skakun, adding there are services, like the Needle Exchange, that are far more troublesome.
One member of the gallery came to speak about how having a government-run cannabis retailer means “you know what you’re getting” and the cannabis hasn’t been laced with “something much worse.”
“Cannabis is already in the downtown,” said Councillor Murry Krause. “This is not a new enterprise.”
The retailer was offered a three-year temporary use permit so that the City can gauge the impacts of cannabis sales in the downtown.