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Cannabis licensing fee will be $20,000; second retail location approved

Oct 2, 2018 | 4:39 PM

Prince Albert City Council officially endorsed a new cannabis licensing bylaw Monday, and gave approval to a second retail location for the city.

Council formally approved the third and final reading of Bylaw 25 relating to the sale of cannabis in the city at its regular council meeting Monday. The approval officially sets the price of business licenses for cannabis retail outlets at $20,000.

The debate over the licensing fee happened at a council meeting last month. Councillors were initially looking at a $30,000 fee, but settled on the lower rate following a lengthy discussion.  

Under the new bylaw, the costs to regulate and enforce the new regulations will be reviewed after one year. The licensing fee for a cannabis production facility or wholesale operation has been set at $2,500.

Second retail location approved

The second of two cannabis retail shops approved for Prince Albert now has a location in the city.

The group that holds one of the permits has been approved by Prince Albert City Council to operate at 3332 Second Ave. W. The outlet will be located in what has previously been a furniture store.

Shaun Dunphy, one of the people behind the permit, attended the council meeting Monday. Dunphy said he and his partners, including Ivan Bergerman, are happy to be setting up shop in Prince Albert.

“We think we found a great location,” Dunphy said following the council meeting Monday. “We’re very excited that city council was able to approve that location for us, and we’re hoping to get the ball rolling and be open as soon as possible.”

Dunphy said he and his group would be able to comment more after October 17, the date the federal government has set for legalization.

“We hope to be open very soon after that,” Dunphy added.

Prairie Cannabis has also been approved for a retail cannabis license in Prince Albert. The new storefront will be located 180 17th St. W.

 

Charlene.tebbutt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @CharleneTebbutt