Some Vancouver BIA’s express concern at public hearings on pot shop by-laws
Posted June 23, 2015 7:37 am.
Last Updated June 24, 2015 12:02 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Vancouver’s proposed pot shop rules aren’t sitting well with some non-weed selling stores. This comes after days of public hearings.
Tricia Barnes with the Hastings-North Business Improvement Association says many vacancies on her street are being taken up by dispensaries. She claims a natural health food store in an older building sandwiched between two pot stores reeks of weed because of venting problems.
“Their store smells of marijuana, they choose not to use marijuana however they are being impacted by it daily and so are their customers. They are losing customers, they are watching their life saving’s go away,” she explains. “You are looking at allowing businesses who may not meet the laws to operate within our city.”
Barnes says there’s also confusion about insurance. “Business landlords are at risk of losing their insurance should they be found to be harbouring an illegal business within their premises.”
Claudia Leroy with the Marpole Business Improvement Association says dispensaries won’t be allowed near community centres and schools, so why not libraries?
“That is a concern to those of us who realize that libraries are a great destination for many members of our communities. That includes families, families with young children, youth and seniors.”
She also fears pot shops are bad for business. “I have heard from a good friend with two younger children who wasn’t as comfortable visiting Granville street as she had been in the past because she didn’t want to walk through a cloud of pot smoke.”
Leroy is calling for strict enforcement and regulation.
