The Capital Region’s first province-run cannabis store could be coming to a Saanich shopping complex pending municipal support for a public hearing.

 

 

The district’s elected officials are set to consider an application from the Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) to situate a BC Cannabis Stores outlet within the Blanshard Street side of Uptown Shopping Centre adjacent to the malls’ Steve Nash Fitness World gym.

 

LDB is requesting operating hours of 10AM through 9PM on Mondays through Saturdays, and 11AM through 6PM on Sundays.

 

875 letters were sent out to neighbouring properties advising businesses and residents of the LDB’s intentions, while the local community association (Mt. View Colquitz) has confirmed in a written statement that it has no objections to the application.

 

Should Saanich council send the proposal to a public hearing as part of a decision expected today, and should formal approvals be granted later this year, Saanich's BC Cannabis Stores would be the Island’s sixth location in addition to outlets in Campbell River, Courtenay, Parksville, and Port Alberni that are already operating, and a Nanaimo store set to open soon.

 

Meanwhile a proposal by Tokyo Smoke, a private chain of dispensaries operated by cannabis giant Canopy Growth Corporation, is making its way through the application process in pursuit of approvals for a store at Saanich’s Tuscany Village Shopping Centre. C

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