While the legalization of marijuana is impending, the City of Cold Lake is getting ready for public consultation.
Although city council hasn't passed any bylaws pertaining to the retail or consumption of cannabis, they want to garner residents' feedback on the issue during an open house May 1.
"There are a couple of things the City of Cold Lake is trying to do. We're hosting an open house to have a couple of conversations. One is to educate everyone in where council currently sits in terms of the land-use bylaw. It has been given first reading and there will be a public hearing next month," explained CAO Kevin Nagoya.
Before they hold the statutory public hearing, the city wanted to get some feedback from residents in aan informal setting.
"We want to allow for more casual conversation and allow people to ask questions, because there's a lot of new information," Nagoya continued. "It's easier to handle some of these conversations outside of a statutory public hearing. Once people can obtain that information, then they can come to the public hearing if they do want to be heard on a clear understanding of what's being proposed."
So far, the city has agreed that a retail outlet can't be within 100-metres of a school, hospital, playground, daycare, or public space.
Council had discussed the option of adding other cannabis retail outlets and liquor stores to the list, but have decided not to include them for now, however mobile cannabis vendors aren't an option.
“The City of Cold Lake has received queries in regards to opening dispensary locations. Those queries are from both the medical and recreational perspective,” Nagoya detailed, adding under the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC), medicinal and recreational cannabis can't be sold in the same location.
He continued, "Businesses can already apply for licensing under the AGLC, in order to set-up the proper paperwork before the drug is legalized later this year."
Mayor Craig Copeland said he wasn't surprised by the number of outlets interested in the city, in fact, he expected more.
Three cannabis retailers have expressed their intent to apply to open up shop in Cold Lake.
"We know they’re going to be in the community. I think people should be prepared and informed,” Copeland said.
The AGLC has been releasing a list of pending business license applications for marijuana retail locations. A breakdown of the applicant and the community they're interested in is available on the AGLC website.
Clarity Cannabis, Green CHE, and Namaste are three of the possible cannabis retailers coming to Cold Lake.
With retailers already showing interest, the city is feeling the pressure to get their land-use bylaw sorted sooner rather than later.
“They’re wanting us to try to finalize our land-use bylaws in order for us to make the necessary applications and move forward in the process on the eventuality, once everything becomes legalized and decriminalized, they will have their licenses in place,” explained Nagoya.
Copeland encourages residents to come out to the open house in order to get a better understanding of not only where cannabis can be sold, but also where they can use it.
“I think it’s an opportunity for them to come and learn. Keep an open mind. There are going to be a lot of areas in Cold Lake where you aren’t going to be able to smoke weed like parks and school grounds. Those areas are going to be off-limits,” he explained.
Using a premise similar to liquor, the city is considering banning the use of cannabis in public places altogether, however, this is one of the reasons why they want to get feedback from the public.
Copeland added, “It’s really an awareness thing. If people want to learn, they can come out and get information from the staff. It will just mean they’re better prepared."
The event starts at 6 p.m. at the Lakeland Inn. In order to get as much feedback as possible, and allow residents and business owners to ask questions, information will be provided one-on-one.
