Clearview’s Economic Development Advisory Committee is requesting council do a survey to gauge public support for opting in to the cannabis retail program.
The August 3 motion was approved in support of a request for consultation by Chase Quanbury who would like to open a cannabis retail store in his hometown of Stayner.
Clearview council opted out of cannabis retail in 2019 when it was first introduced by the province. Municipalities, at the time, were given the opportunity to opt out, with the understanding that could opt in at any time. But once they opt in, they can’t reverse that decision and disrupt existing retail operations.
Back in the day, council held a public consultation session when about seven residents spoke out against allowing cannabis retail in Clearview.
“It’s interesting, when the province was looking at legalizing cannabis a few years ago there were lots of people who thought the world would end as soon as a small town got involved in it and here we are a couple of years later since they have been established and the world hasn’t ended yet,” said committee member Bill Roskar. “I think they are pretty respectable locations.”
Quanbury is making the case that cannabis retail stores are now open in neighbouring communities and Clearview is being left behind.
He says he has secured a licence to sell cannabis and is hoping council will undertake another round of public consultation and opt in so he can open a store in Stayner.
Quanbury says he has been canvassing the business community and has had a very positive response, and same goes for the response from users of the Clearview News and Commentary Group on Facebook.
It is expected that council will discuss the topic at its August 23 meeting.