Penticton city council has given its stamp of approval to four more cannabis retail stores.

City staff presented seven applications for council to consider, four in the city’s downtown and three elsewhere, during the June 18 council meeting. Several of the applications had been previously seen by council but were deferred in order to establish further legislation in regards to how many cannabis retail shops would be permitted in Penticton.

Green Essence (101-437 Martin St.), Greenery Cannabis Boutique (465 Main St.), Zen Canna (103-2050 Martin St.) and Fairview Cannabis Corner (104-1652 Fairview Rd.) all received a letter of approval from the city to the province’s Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB). The next step for these businesses will be to receive their cannabis retail sales licence from the LCRB, which as of June 18 has only issued 34 licences within the province.

Multiple applications before council were defeated due to perceived conflicts with their proposed location. Blue Water Cannabis (101-130 Nanaimo Ave. W) was denied since the building is not only near residential properties, it has residences above the commercial unit.

READ MORE: Penticton considering 10 pot shop applications

“I don’t think it should be anywhere near residences, I mean with every application, I look at it and I go ‘What would my concern be if this was next to my house?’ and I can tell you I wouldn’t want it beside my house,” said Coun. Katie Robinson.

Although Greenery Cannabis Boutique was approved, some members of council also took issue with its proximity in relation to the Penticton Youth Centre and Foundry Penticton. Blake Laven, the city’s planning manager, clarified that the city did not receive a letter of concern from the centre about the proposed cannabis retail store.

“I won’t be supporting this location. I find it far too close to the Foundry and I’m very, very conscious of the children and the influence there so I’m afraid this one’s out for me,” said Robinson.

READ MORE: Penticton approves four cannabis store locations

Green Light Cannabis (101-94 Ellis St.) was also defeated by council due to its proximity to residential properties and Hoodoo Adventure Company, a provider of outdoor activities and events. Laven added the applicant was made aware of these concerns and canvassed the neighbourhood and garnered letters of support from neighbouring businesses.

Southside Cannabis Market (103-3502 Skaha Lake Rd.), which was ultimately defeated by council, had received multiple letters of opposition from residents in the area due to its proximity to an established pub. The applicant was made aware of the concerns and had included ways to mitigate this within their proposal to the city.

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