Jukka Laurio is getting back into retail cannabis sales in Penticton, but this time he says it’s going to be completely above board.
“I leased a space, the licensing process is underway with the province, and that is about it,” said Laurio, adding that he has closed his previous operations. “I’ve shut it down. I am preparing for this licensing with a blank slate.”
Laurio has been in an ongoing battle with the City of Penticton for two years over his former operation, Herbal Greens, with fines that built up to $30,500 for continuing to run the operation. A court decision in May ordered Laurio to pay $15,000 of the fines owed to the city and to cease any cannabis sales.
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Laurio had previously moved his Penticton operation to Okanagan Falls. That store was subsequently raided by the RCMP on May 30.
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Now, Laurio said he is going through the steps laid out by the province to apply for a licence to legally operate a retail storefront for cannabis sales. Then he has to go through the City of Penticton’s process.
“The city gets to weigh in on whether they have dispensaries or not. If they do, they have to make some rules and regulations. They don’t get to weigh in on who gets to open one,” said Laurio. ” If two people are applying, whoever meets the guidelines and the standards they’ve set, that’s all you can do.”
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Laurio said this is his career now, so he’s going to keep trying.
“I don’t think there is anything else I can move on to anymore. What I used to do before, isn’t there. I am now the marijuana man,” said Laurio. “This is what I’ve got, I’m working with it.”
Steve Kidd
Senior reporter, Penticton Western News
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