INNISFAIL - When recreational cannabis becomes legal this fall, residents, visitors and potential retailers in the town will have bylaws to follow.
Town council passed several bylaw amendments on July 23 bringing into law where cannabis can be sold and consumed.
“We’re pleased to be moving forward with these bylaws in light of the constantly evolving nature of the legalization process. Citizens and stakeholders are to be thanked for participating in our own legalizing process to accommodate the legalization, and we very much heard what they had to say. The bylaws reflect - and are the result of - much time, research and discussion that’s gone into the matter," said Innisfail mayor Jim Romane.
The land use bylaw amendments restrict cannabis stores to be located at least 100 metres from schools, hospitals, public cultural/recreational areas, libraries, parks and playgrounds, and existing cannabis stores.
They will be allowed to operate in Innisfail between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. They will be considered a discretionary use within the Central Business and Highway Commercial districts.
There are now two retail cannabis companies in the provincial licensing stage vying for a spot in Innisfail. if they are approved provincially, they will be required to get an approved development permit from the town, before they are able to set up shop.
While a pubic hearing was held on the proposed amendments to the land use bylaw, no one spoke in favour or opposition.
Councillors chalked that up to the “high community input” provided through a survey, which in part was used to develop the newly passed restrictions. In total 404 responses were collected over the course of the survey period.
In a related bylaw amendment, council has restricted some cannabis consumption.
No public smoking or vaping of cannabis in public will be allowed within the town limits.
Once, the federal law comes into effect Oct. 17, adults will be able to alter cannabis at home in order to prepare varying types of cannabis products (edibles) for personal use provided that no dangerous organic solvents are used in the process, according to Health Canada.
The Town of Innisfail will wait for further federal rules on the sale of cannabis edible products before proposing bylaw amendments that may include edible consumption, said Stuart Fullarton, the town’s communication officer.
The federal law will also make it legal to purchase fresh or dried cannabis, cannabis oil, plants and seeds for cultivation from either a provincially regulated retailer; possess up to 30 grams of dried legal cannabis or equivalent in public; share up to 30 grams or equivalent of legal cannabis and legal cannabis products with other adults; and cultivate up to four plants in their own residence (four plants total per household).
