Nelson city council has given Buddy’s Place a three-year temporary use permit to operate as a recreational cannabis dealer at 356 Baker Street.
That pushes the number of approved downtown cannabis businesses to three, one more than the two council prescribed in its new zoning bylaw last year.
At council on Feb. 4, Buddy’s lost a lottery vote to two other business applicants, Green Room and Nelson Potorium. The lottery was part of a process that the city put in place last year to decide between competing recreational cannabis businesses.
Buddy’s responded by applying for a two-year temporary use permit, arguing that it needs the time to transition to another location outside of the downtown.
Buddy’s has until recently been operating as the medical cannabis dispensary Leaf Cross.
Under the Local Government Act, a temporary use permit may be issued for up to three years and can be renewed once. If there is a problem with compliance with the permit, council can revoke it at any time.
At Monday’s meeting, management staff brought forward a recommendation for a two-year permit, but councillor Brittny Anderson successfully argued in favour of three years.
Councillor Janice Morrison argued against giving Buddy’s Place a temporary use permit on the grounds that a maximum of two recreational cannabis stores downtown reflected the public’s desires in last year’s survey that was filled out by 1,779 residents.
City manager Kevin Cormack reported that the city has two other applicants in the process of applying for downtown recreational cannabis locations. He said these applicants may also apply to council for temporary use permits or rezoning.
Related:
• Nelson approves three recreational cannabis licences, rejects one
• Nelson council approves cannabis business selection system
• Nelson to allow cannabis dispensaries to operate into new year
• Nelson reveals cannabis survey results
• Nelson council refines proposed recreational cannabis bylaws