A business owner is hoping Rockwood council will turn over a new leaf to allow a cannabis retail store to open in the municipality.
The Vault Cannabis Ltd. reapplied for conditional use approval to operate a hemp boutique retail store and licensed cannabis dispensary on Highway 7 at the intersection of Provincial Trunk Highway 17.
Vault Cannabis Ltd. is an Indigenous-owned and operated company that sells licensed hemp products that are produced in Manitoba. The business would operate in an existing 1,980-square-foot commercial building that was formerly the site of Fluffy’s Pet Grocery.
The proposed store would be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily to serve Interlake residents as well as those travelling on the highway. There’s a gravel parking lot around the west and south sides of the building.
New Life Church is to the east and Rona Rockwood Building Materials is to the south. Nearby land use includes residential development to the north and west.
In August, council denied a conditional use request from the same applicant to operate a cannabis retail shop on the property. The applicant reapplied with the intention of addressing some concerns that council had with the previous application.
Non-medical cannabis became legal in Canada on Oct. 17, 2018. In Manitoba, new cannabis retail stores need to get a retailer agreement from Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries, as well as a licence from the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba (LGCA). Retail cannabis licences must adhere to strict LGCA-established terms and conditions, including age restrictions, cannabis displays, security, disposal, remote orders, inventory and record-keeping.
The federal government is also involved in regulating cannabis products, including its packaging and advertising.
The South Interlake Planning District confirmed there are no schools, childcare services or recreational facilities within 150 metres of the proposed business, since this buffer zone is outlined in Rockwood’s zoning bylaw.
Eric Shaw, SIPD general manager, provided a more in-depth definition of “school” at council’s request.
“From my perspective, I believe the intent of this regulation is these are formal educational facilities where you have kids coming and going on a daily basis,” he said, noting that home schools and church-based Sunday school wouldn’t be considered formal educational facilities.
Tyler Miller of The Vault Cannabis said they would be willing to adjust their hours around the church’s programs.
In response to another question, Tim Mulvena of the Vault Cannabis elaborated on why they’re planning to open a bricks-and-mortar storefront opposed to an online shop.
“It’s a different experience for a customer to come in and talk to a person because there are so many questions that you have to answer. The cannabis industry is changing every day. There’s new products, new strains, new research being done every day. People are hearing this on the news and they want to come and talk to somebody,” he said.
“Going online sometimes isn’t the best way, especially for our senior population. They want to come in and talk to people, and they have lots of questions. They want to get out of these pills that they’re on from the doctor and go into cannabis or hemp products. CBD is basically the biggest product seniors are after.”
Henry Ozirney, New Life Church pastor in Teulon, spoke in opposition to the proposal and noted that the church provides education for kids.
“I see things as a different perspective as a pastor. I deal with lots of young people here in Stonewall and Teulon. I have three grandkids here in town,” he said.
“I know this is a bigger issue, but I’m concerned about cannabis per se and its affect on youth, and I’ve seen the damage that it’s done.”
Holly Spencer, owner of Fry-Days Restaurant and Lounge and the soon-to-open Interlake Smoke cannabis business, also spoke in opposition. She cited concerns about the proximity to the church and also about Vault Cannabis’s potential impact on her independent business.
The Vault Cannabis has locations in Ashern, Arborg and Ste. Rose du Lac. The company would likely create three new jobs in the local community with a new Rockwood location.
SIPD had no significant concerns with the proposed cannabis retail store and recommended that council grant conditional approval.
Council will likely make their decision at the next regular council meeting on Dec. 13.
