Revelstoke City Council approves interim ban on cannabis sales and production

Don’t expect to see any cannabis stores popping up in Revelstoke anytime soon.

Revelstoke city council unanimously passed a motion to temporarily ban zoning amendment applications for the purpose of cannabis-related sales and production within city boundaries following a public hearing at its regular meeting on May 22. There were no comments from the public during the meeting and the only correspondence received related to the proposed ban came from the city’s social development committee.

The interim ban will remain in place until both the federal and provincial governments finalize legislation regarding the impending legalization of both recreational and medicinal cannabis sales and use. The federal government has announced it intends to legalize the use of recreational cannabis as early as July 1, 2018, although the official legalization date is expected a within a few months of that date.

The interim ban for Revelstoke includes both recreational and medicinal cannabis dispensaries, as well as commercial cannabis manufacturing and productions.

City of Revelstoke director of planning Nigel Whitehead said the intent of the ban is to give time for staff to work in consultation with the community to work on creating regulations regarding commercial retail sales and production of cannabis within city boundaries.

“If such regulations are not in place by the time legalization occurs, the city opens its door to allow commercial cannabis sales and production in any zone,” said Whitehead.

Mayor Mark McKee noted the interim ban is only a first step, saying the intent of the interim bylaw is that if and when the federal government follows through on legalizing recreational cannabis use the City of Revelstoke would then begin a second process of working on amendments to current zoning bylaws to consider best practices to add commercial marijuana sales and production within Revelstoke’s boundaries.

“I know there’s people in public who think we’re shutting things down but that is definitely not the case. We’re being prudent with what we think is acceptable to the community, listening to the community and there’s lots of opportunities as we move forward into the next phase as to how this is going to unravel,” said McKee.

Interim bylaw won’t affect personal consumption for recreational or medical purposes

Councillor Connie Brothers said she feels the city is doing the right thing by taking the time to think through and plan for the upcoming legalization of cannabis sales.

“I think we’re really doing the right thing here. Simply because it’s an unknown. I think going slowly and making sure we get it right, especially because we have families and children. It affects all aspects of the community.”

Even before it was passed, the city’s interim ban on cannabis sales and production raised some controversy within the community. The temporary prohibition of cannabis sales will not impact personal use of recreational cannabis once it’s legalized, provided that use is in compliance with any federal, provincial or municipal legislation. In Revelstoke, once legalized personal use of cannabis would fall under the city’s clean air bylaw which bans smoking or vaping in city-owned parks and trails and within six metres of building entrances, among other longstanding restrictions (such as not in public buildings or restaurants.) The bylaw does not affect Health Canada permit holders using cannabis for medicinal purposes.

Whitehead said the city is planning to secure and work with a third party consultant over the summer to help develop a regulatory framework for what commercial retail sales would look like for Revelstoke. That process would include additional engagement with the public. A city FAQ on the cannabis bylaw said the city anticipates, “the process to occur over the summer months and be ready for adoption at or around time of legalization of recreational cannabis use in Canada.”