VICTORIA, BC – The City of Victoria is currently exploring potential regulations for the operation of medical marijuana-related businesses.
The purpose of the regulations is to reduce community impacts of these businesses, while maintaining access to medical marijuana. Residents and business owners are invited to learn more and share feedback through an online survey and an open house and town hall.
The proposed regulations include:
- individuals under the age of 19 must not be on the premises
- food products other than tinctures, capsules or edible oil must not be sold
- consumption of products is not allowed on site
- health warning signs must be posted
- signage and advertising must be discreet
- specific security measures must be in place including: a security plan, minimum staffing requirements, video surveillance cameras, alarm systems, windows must not be blocked
- odor control systems must be in place
- limits on location (at least 200 meters from schools and other storefront medical marijuana retailers)
- limits on hours of operation (must be closed between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m.)
- storefront medical marijuana retailers must not deliver or mail products to customers
- no other business can be conducted on the premise of a medical marijuana retailer.
- an annual licence fee for storefront medical marijuana retailers of between $4,000 and $5,000 (based upon an estimate of the costs required to administer this type of licence).
It is now estimated that there are currently 30 medical marijuana-related businesses in Victoria, with approximately 26 of these operating as storefront medical marijuana retailers.
The proposed regulations have been developed based on community input received in the fall of 2015.
HAVE YOUR SAY
- Open House and Town Hall
Date: Monday, February 22, 2016, Open House: 6 – 7 p.m., Town Hall: 7 p.m.
Location: Victoria City Hall, 1 Centennial Square
- Online Survey: Available until Friday, March 4
