City council approves 7 retail cannabis stores across Kelowna

"We've made history for Kelowna tonight," observed mayor Colin Basran in front of those at City Hall on Tuesday evening.

City council approved seven retail cannabis applications following a public hearing that saw little to no opposition brought forth against Kelowna’s first pot shops.

The seven stores had been trimmed down from the original 41 applications submitted to city planners last November.

Once open, the stores will span across the city, covering neighbourhoods from the Lower Mission to Rutland and Glenmore.

Bernard Avenue 547-559:

Glenmore Road 401:

Rutland Road S 140-160:

Gordon Drive 3818:

Springfield Road 2121:

Harvey Ave 1455-1475:

Harvey Ave 2090:

“We faced criticism when we shut down the black market stores,” said mayor Basran.

“It’s not that we refused to get with the times, but we wanted to wait until there was a legal framework to work within. We have now done that.”

“This is really something,” said councilor Maxine DeHart.

“There was a time when we didn’t think there would be any stores on Bernard Avenue, but I think these applications fit each selected area. City planners did an excellent job choosing these seven from the original 40 plus applications.”

"Never thought I would see this day when I first got into politics 20 years ago," quipped councilor Charlie Hodge.

"Quite often I didn’t agree with the process, but this is indeed historic and I'm looking forward to when we can deal with the medicinal component."

However, despite Kelowna’s first ever cannabis stores being approved, the moment could be considered slightly anti-climatic.

The provincial government has been slow moving in giving final approval to cannabis stores forwarded by municipalities.

Kelowna’s seven approved stores will now be slotted behind the 320 other cannabis stores awaiting provincial approval in B.C.

Last December, Lake Country approved its first cannabis store, which has yet to open its doors now four months later.