Cannabis Sales & Production

Cannabis Policy

On June 16, 2020, after extensive community and stakeholder consultation, Council adopted Cannabis Policy for Retail and Production Facilities.

This policy describes the locational criteria of, and the application procedure for, cannabis retail stores and production facilities within the Town of Gibsons. It also limits the number of cannabis production facilities within the Town to a maximum of four.

After a period of three years, staff will reassess the Cannabis Policy to determine whether amendments are warranted and/or if additional stores or production facilities should be considered in the Town, and return to Council for next steps.

On July 28, 2020, the first application for a cannabis production facility was approved by Council.

Frequently Asked Questions

FEDERAL, PROVINCIAL AND MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT ROLES

What is the role of the federal government in the legalization of non-medical cannabis?

On October 17, 2018, the Canadian federal government legalized non-medical cannabis with Bill C-45, the Cannabis Act. The Act is intended to create a legal framework for controlling the production, distribution, sale and possession of cannabis across Canada. The federal government legalized edibles on October 17, 2019.

What is the role of the provincial government?

In light of the new Cannabis Act, the Province of BC has established a legislative framework for the legalization of non-medical cannabis with the Cannabis Control and Licensing Act (CCLA) and the Cannabis Distribution Act (CDA). The CCLA sets key regulations around cannabis, such as the minimum age to purchase, sell, or consume cannabis (19 years), how much cannabis adults may possess in a public place (30 grams) and where cannabis smoking and vaping are prohibited (everywhere tobacco smoking and vaping are prohibited, as well as at common places children gather.)

The Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB), will license and monitor the retail sale of non-medical cannabis in BC.

For a complete overview of Province of BC cannabis regulations click here.

For a schedule of the tickets and fines associated with cannabis, a summary of the Cannabis Act, and details around non-medical cannabis retail licenses from the Province of BC, click here.

What is the role of the Town of Gibsons?

The Town of Gibsons has a role in responding to Federal and Provincial cannabis production, distribution, and sale referrals. It also plays a major role in Licensing Non-Medical Cannabis Retail Stores, including determining appropriate locations for cannabis retail stores within Town boundaries. In fact, the LCRB will not issue a licence unless the Town provides a positive recommendation that the licence be issued. The Town reviews applications based on Cannabis Policy 3.17.

*The Town does not have the power to control what type of cannabis gets sold within local cannabis dispensaries; that is strictly in the federal and provincial sphere.*

CURRENT STATUS OF DISPENSARIES/PRODUCTION FACILITIES WITHIN GIBSONS

How many cannabis dispensaries and production facilities currently exist in the Town of Gibsons?

Two dispensaries currently operate legally within Town boundaries and both are operated by Coastal Bay Cannabis. The first location is in Lower Gibsons on Marine Drive; it was issued a three-year Temporary Use Permit in October 2018 and received a provincial license to sell marijuana in August 2019. On March 3, 2020, Coastal Bay Cannabis was issued a three-year Temporary Use Permit for its second location at 1095 Sunshine Coast Hwy.

On July 28, 2020, Council approved zoning for a cannabis production facility at 1037 Venture Way.

APPLICATION PROCESS, FEES & PUBLIC INPUT

What is the application process for permission to open a cannabis store?

There are two parts to the application process – one part to satisfy the requirements of the Town of Gibsons and one part to satisfy the requirements of the Province of BC. (See Part A & Part B below for more details). These application processes may be conducted concurrently.

Part A) Apply to the Town of Gibsons for site-specific rezoning, and then for a business licence.

In order to obtain a Town of Gibsons business licence, cannabis retailers must first apply to the Town to rezone their business site. See criteria as detailed in Cannabis Policy 3.17.

To apply for site-specific rezoning, submit application form + fee ($1,000 + $100 per 300 m² of land, up to a maximum of $10,000). The Town will gather views of local residents by issuing a Notice of Application to property owners situated within a 50-metre radius of the business, and also by publishing a Notice of Application in the local newspaper. Additionally, a rezoning application will be given a Public Hearing and four readings by council. Based on feedback from the public and other factors, Town staff will recommend that Council approve or deny the rezoning application.

Once a cannabis retail applicant has successfully obtained site-specific rezoning, a Town of Gibsons business licence will be issued. A business licence for retail use costs $160 for a retail space of up to 1000 ft² and an additional $8 for each additional 100 ft².

Part B) Apply to the Province of BC for non-medicinal cannabis retail licence.

This is a 4-stage process:

i. Applicants submit licence application + fee to LCRB. (The Province collects a $7,500 application fee for a cannabis retail store and an annual license fee of $1,500. Additionally, a referral from the LCRB costs $1,000.)

ii. LCRB notifies local government that an application has been received.

iii. Local government may then:

a. Choose not to make any recommendation, which would effectively end the licence application, or
b. Choose to make comments, either denying or recommending the application.

As part of the local government process to review LCRB referrals, the Town will gather views of residents by issuing a Notice of Application to property owners situated within a 100-meter radius of the business, and also by publishing a Notice of Application in two consecutive issues of a local newspaper.

iv. Licence is issued or denied by the LCRB.

If the local government chooses not to make any recommendation, or makes a recommendation to deny the application, the LCRB may not issue the licence. If the local government recommends the application, then the LCRB must consider the recommendation, but has discretion over whether or not to issue the licence.

Do residents have a chance to comment during the retailer licensing process?

Yes. If the Town decides to consider an application for a cannabis store, it must gather the views of residents of the proposed retail area by using one or more of the following methods:

Receiving written comment in response to public notice of the application;
Conducting a public hearing in respect of the application;
Holding a referendum; or
Using another method the Town considers appropriate.