Kelowna finalizes retail cannabis bylaw regulations

Cannabis will be legal in less than a month, but where will you buy it?

Local cannabis stakeholders and curious community members were on hand at City Hall Tuesday night where city council finalized the zoning bylaws for retail cannabis.

Citing a desire to move forward in the regulatory process, Kelowna has approved the following zoning bylaw amendments:

• Retail cannabis will be permitted on Leon and Lawrence Avenues;
• Minimum 500 metre set back required between retail cannabis stores;
• Minimum 150 m set back from elementary and a 500 m set back from middle/high schools;
• Minimum 60 m set back from residential properties;
• Minimum 150 m set back from specific parks;
• Medical cannabis will continue to be legally sold online by federally licensed producers only;

Kelowna City Planners have made it clear that the public should not expect retail cannabis stores to open up shop before 2019, however, the city has released maps of proposed retail zones.

Downtown and Central Highway 97

Glenmore, Rutland and Highway 97 (from Spall Rd to Sexsmith Rd)

Central Kelowna and North Mission

Highway 97 Corridor North of Sexsmith Rd

Lake Country / Kelowna Boundry

Cannabis will officially become legal in Canada on Oct. 17.

The provincial government has only committed to opening one cannabis retail store, which will be located in Kamloops, by the legalization date.

Online cannabis sales will be available upon legalization.

For more information on cannabis bylaw amendments, click here.