A new recreational cannabis store has applied to occupy the same space that previously housed another pot shop closed down by Nelson police last year.
Quadz Cannabis has submitted a licence application to the city for 752 Vernon St. with a request to operate 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.
If approved, the business would take over the previous home of MMJ Canada, which was shut down following a raid by the Nelson Police Department on March 20, 2018.
Five employees were arrested at the time, although the police are still waiting for charges to be approved by the Public Prosecution Service of Canada.
The location request also puts Quadz Cannabis at odds with the city’s recreational cannabis store zoning bylaw.
In February, Nelson council approved applications from Green Room and Nelson Potorium for the max two stores allowed to operate downtown, which is the same zone Quadz Cannabis is requesting to open up in.
A third store, Buddy’s Place (formerly known as Leaf Cross), was also given a three-year temporary use permit that will allow it to keep operating at 356 Baker St.
Related: Nelson approves three recreational cannabis licences, rejects one
The city also previously set aside one location each in the Nelson Ave., Railtown and lakeside/industrial zones, the latter of which has already been taken by Kootenays Cannabis Tree.
Proposed recreational cannabis stores must first pass a screening process with the provincial government. After that, the application moves to the proposed municipality for approval, which then recommends successful applicants for licensing from the province.
