Pubdate: Tue, 15 Dec 2015
Source: Metro (Vancouver, CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Metro Canada
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/vancouver
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3775
Author: Emily Jackson
Page: 3

8 SHOPS VIE TO SELL LEGAL POT

Eight stores have taken the lead in the race to be Vancouver's first
"legal" marijuana shop.

The City of Vancouver has revealed the addresses of the eight stores
farthest along in the process to get a development permit and business
licence for a medical marijuana-related business.

Located across the city, from Kitsilano and West Point Grey to
Renfrew-Collingwood and Sunset, these shops were previously zoned for
use as hair salons, barber shops, general offices and retail stores.

It's the first time the city has disclosed the locations of stores
most likely to succeed under the city's new scheme to regulate
marijuana dispensaries. Of the 176 applicants to the program, only 11
were located in permitted zones and were at least 300 metres away from
schools, community centres, youth facilities and other
marijuana-related businesses.

Thirty other businesses met all the initial requirements aside from
being too close to other marijuana-related shops, so the city is
ranking them to see which ones get to stay put.

The city sent letters late last week to the eight stores' neighbours
to give them a chance to provide written feedback by Christmas Eve.

While dispensaries are not legal in Canada, the city moved to regulate
them in order to collect business fees and to decrease the risks to
youth.
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MAP posted-by: Matt