Bonnyville Passes First Reading of Cannabis Bylaws

The Town of Bonnyville council passed the first reading of the land-use bylaws related to cannabis zoning and signage on Tuesday. The Town has elected for a 150-metre zoning area, which is the separation distance a cannabis dispensary would have to allow from schools, parks, hospitals, recreational areas, and businesses that sell alcohol, tobacco and cannabis.

The bylaw also states that a retail cannabis shop is prohibited from opening in a residential area.

The Town hosted a cannabis open house on May 16 to answer questions and give feedback related to upcoming bylaws. Roughly a dozen people showed up, and opinions varied on 100-metre, 150-metre, and 200-metre zones.

Now that the first reading is finished, the Town is holding a public hearing for the community to give feedback on Tuesday, June 12. It will be the last chance for the community to give direct feedback about cannabis related bylaws before second reading.

It was reported last week that Bonnyville Mayor Gene Sobolewski said after second reading they wait to see the final plans for the decriminalization of cannabis from both the federal and provincial government.

The price for a cannabis retail application was amended as well, and now a prospective business will be charged $1050 due to signage and commercial development permits.