Cranbrook city council endorsed two locations for separate businesses that are applying for non-medical cannabis licenses.
However, even with council support, both license applications must be referred back to the provincial government for final approval.
One location is in the downtown core on 9th Ave. S, while the other is a vacant space just off Cranbrook Street beside Starbucks.
The downtown location is being proposed by Margaret Ann Sissons, Clifford Frank Sissons and Robert Frank Sissons as part of EK Cannabis, which will be a storefront formerly occupied by Trends ‘n Treasures.
“We believe our store on 9th will add an even greater shopping experience to the downtown core and within the legalities of promoting cannabis products we will bring the EK Cannabis name to the forefront of the community,” reads a letter from EK Cannabis.
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The store will be operate from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.
The Sissons are long-time residents of Cranbrook and previously owned and operated Buns Master Bakery from 1991 to 2012.
Nearby businesses had mixed feedback for the proposed location.
Some were completely in favour, while another raised concerns about security, being open at late hours and on Sundays.
One business was completely opposed, citing concerns about EK Cannabis being open at late hours in proximity to local bars and that inadequate parking in the area could lead to higher foot traffic and security concerns at later hours.
Council also endorsed a location for Clarity Cannabis at 1325B Cranbrook St. N, which is planning on operating from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week.
The proposal is being pitched by Michael Forbes, a Victoria-based entrepreneur with a plan to open 50 cannabis retail stores in Canada.
Forbes has a background in pharmaceutical sciences and has operated successful companies in the health care sector over the last 14 years.
Owners for Ricks Fine Meats and McDonalds opposed the proposed location, citing traffic congestion, a lack of parking and the youthful makeup of both staff workforces.
With the endorsement of the location, Ricks Fine Meats noted it will put up a fence to separate its property from the proposed Clarity Cannabis location.
Ricks Fine Meats also added that another application for a cannabis retail license is in the works for a business that wishes to operate out of the old Greyhound bus terminal across the street.
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