Comox’s first pot shop is getting one step closer to opening its doors in the town.
At Wednesday’s council meeting, councillors unanimously approved a planner’s recommendation of having staff gather views of residents on the licence of a non-medical cannabis retail store licence application for the Comox Mall.
The application is from CITY Cannabis Corporation, which has established stores in Vancouver, and is looking to open a store at 215 Port Augusta St.
The location is not to exceed 500 square metres, and would include a security system and backroom that will have all product locked away overnight, eliminating the need for bars or roll down shutters.
The proposed hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
In a report to council, the concept of the store is described as “a beautiful holistic cannabis store offering the best selection of cannabis … and related products. Inspired by coffee shops of the Pacific Northwest, the CITY Cannabis company’s store concept is a harmonious mix between the modern urban lifestyle and natural environments of the PWN (Pacific Northwest).”
Owners noted there would be abundant greenery and key elements such as a bud bar and displays made from repurposed local PWN woods along with raw concrete, industrial pipeline and exposed brick walls.
Krystian Wetulani, CEO of CITY Cannabis Co. along with Shamus Dowler of Postmark Development Co. answered questions from councillors as part of a delegation.
Coun. Alex Bissenger inquired about possible odour from the store. Wetulani explained all the products come pre-packaged and there will be procedures in place such as charcoal filters and essential oils to mitigate the smell.
Coun. Pat McKenna asked about staffing and if the company was going to provide a living wage.
“We pay our staff pretty good. We have the Apple mentality – we will greet you right away and have someone with an iPad ready to help – bud tenders,” added Wetulani.
With the approved motion, staff will now mail out or hand deliver a notice of request for written public comment to property owners and tenants within 75 metres of the proposed store as well as provide notice of request for written public comments in the media.
If the application proceeds, Wetulani and Dowler said they could open within four to six weeks of receiving the proper approvals.
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