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DNV finishes pot shops talk - now ready to talk about a pot shop

The District of North Vancouver council may have had their final conversation about pot shop rules, clearing their way for a future talk about pot shops. Council unanimously approved an overarching framework on cannabis stores at a Nov. 18 meeting.
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The District of North Vancouver council may have had their final conversation about pot shop rules, clearing their way for a future talk about pot shops.

Council unanimously approved an overarching framework on cannabis stores at a Nov. 18 meeting. The rules would limit one pot shop per town centre and mandate shops to be at least 200 metres from a school. A final adoption vote is still required.

The district has opted for a “baby steps” approach, said Coun. Lisa Muri, explaining she would generally opt for a more streamlined approach to pot shop approvals in the future.

While Mayor Mike Little agreed, he reminded his colleagues of the outcry that once greeted plans for a liquor store in Edgemont Village.

“There’s probably still always going to be a resistance to change that is going to have to be addressed by good public engagement,” he said.

Prospective pot shops in the district include Aura Cannabis Inc. at 1560 Main St., North Shore Cannabis at 1520 Barrow St., Muse Cannabis 385 North Dollarton Hwy. in Deep Cove, and a BC Cannabis Store at 1074 Marine Dr. Under the new rules, pot shops will have to pay a one-time $2,040 fee and an annual business licence fee of $5,000, which is intended to help cover policing costs. Pot shops will be limited to doing business between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.

The City of North Vancouver has approved two pot shops and rejected four others. West Vancouver has not yet crafted a pot shop policy.