A cannabis retail chain is eyeing a new Collingwood location, and if successful would replace a now-closed Collingwood pot shop.
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has confirmed it received an application for a new cannabis retail store in Collingwood, the application is in the 15-day public notice phase.
Canna Cabana Inc. has applied for a licence to operate a store at the 99 Balsam St. plaza in unit five, where the former Stash and Co. cannabis store operated. The Balsam St. plaza shares a parking lot with Canadian Tire.
During the 15-day public notice phase, anyone can file an objection or submission related to the application. The deadline to file is Nov. 2.
The AGCO has identified only three matters of public interest that will be considered by the registrar in the objection phase. They are: protecting public health and safety, protecting youth and restricting their access to cannabis, and preventing illicit activities in relation to cannabis.
If an objection is filed, the applicant receives a copy of the objection and can work with the AGCO toward a resolution.
The AGCO may then review the applicant’s original submission at a hearing or may call a public meeting where the person filing an objection may participate.
You can find out more information about the AGCO cannabis retail store licence process here.
There are already six licensed cannabis stores in Collingwood, including Treetz on First Street, Best Buds Forever on Hurontario Street, Spiritleaf on Balsam Street, Value Buds on First and Pine Street, Pop's Cannabis Co. on First Street, and Satica (formerly Sessions) on Hurontario Street. Sessions was the first retail cannabis store to open in Colingwood.
There was a Tokyo Smoke also on First Street, but it has since closed. There was a cannabis store called Cannoe on Hurontario Street, which has also closed.
There is no legislation limiting the number of retail stores allowed in a municipality.
Municipalities were given a choice in early 2019 to opt-in or opt-out of allowing cannabis retail stores within their boundaries. The province does not allow an opt-in decision to be reversed.
Collingwood council voted on January 14, 2019, in favour of allowing cannabis retail stores within the municipality, after several discussions, more than one staff report, and a public meeting.
After deciding to allow cannabis retail, the town’s authority on any further controls were blunted by provincial law.
The Cannabis Licence Act states municipalities do not have authority to pass a Planning Act bylaw that would distinguish between using a building for sale of cannabis, and one that cannot be used for a cannabis store based on the zoning designation.
The town did create a policy statement (not a bylaw), endorsed by council, to indicate preferred locations for cannabis stores. The locations were within C1 and C2 zoning, which includes mostly the downtown core, and the section of commercial space on High Street. The policy also indicates the town would prefer no stores within 200 metres of any parks or schools.
The AGCO will not approve a licence for a cannabis retail store that is less than 150 metres from a school or private school, but does not indicate any buffer zones for parks.
The decision to approve a cannabis retail store falls under the jurisdiction of the AGCO and the town may not withhold a building permit once the AGCO has granted its approval.
