On Aug 13, Smithers town council recommended the Liquor and Cannabis Licensing Regulation Branch to approve Pacificanna’s proposal for operating a non-medical cannabis retail store facility.
Marisca Bakker
Aug 20, 2024 5:30 AM
Downtown Smithers could soon be home to a second retail cannabis store.
On Aug 13, Smithers town council recommended to the Liquor and Cannabis Licensing Regulation Branch that it approve Pacificanna’s proposal for operating a non-medical cannabis retail store from the ground floor of the building at 1215 Main Street, with a couple of conditions.
The conditions include that the retail business operates in compliance with all the Federal and Provincial regulations pertaining to the sale of recreational cannabis, including, but not limited to, public consumption, promotion, display, education, and access to youth.
Also, the applicant must be willing to work with the town and/or RCMP to resolve any concerns or issues that may arise with respect to the business’s operations in the future.
A public hearing was held at the meeting but no one spoke up. One letter was submitted.
Councillor Frank Wray said he has never heard any complaints about the only other cannabis store in Smithers, which is also located on Main St, about two blocks from the proposed new one. He also said there is likely room for another one, stating Smithers can support three liquor stores.
“We never decided on a limit [of retail cannabis stores], we’ll let the free market decide that. Happy to have any retail business on Main Street,” he added.
The subject property is a two-storey building, which had housed the Glacier View Satellite store until it was permanently closed recently. As part of the proposed development, both the exterior and interior of the currently vacant building will be renovated, while also creating two new residential units on the second floor.
Councillor Sam Raven was happy to see that the building will get a face lift.
Only Mayor Gladys Atrill voiced concerns about the proposed design of the building.
“The look of Main Street is very important to me, and I want to make sure that whatever we get there fits the community,” she said.
