Cannabis retailer looking at Didsbury

DIDSBURY - Cannabis Cowboy, a Calgary-based company, is considering bringing a cannabis retail store to town, said Theresa Gutierrez, director of marketing for the business.

She spoke at the public hearing for the land use bylaw -- cannabis amendment at the recent regular Didsbury council meeting.

Gutierrez told the Gazette the company has a lease agreement for a store on Main Street in the 2103-20th St. building (Able Meats). Before operating they need to get appropriate permits from the proper governing authorities.

"We're looking at bringing about 30 retail locations to the Alberta and B.C. markets," said Gutierrez. "We're awaiting final approvals from AGLC, which obviously won't come until the legalization date of October 17, but we already have conditional approval in Calgary, Red Deer, Lethbridge and Rocky Mountain House and soon to hear back from places like Airdrie, Sylvan Lake, Innisfail, and, hopefully, Didsbury, once they open up their application process for development permits."

Gutierrez said that any cannabis retailer must not only apply for a retail cannabis store licence with the AGLC but a development permit with the municipality.

Gutierrez said the store would sell not only cannabis but accessories like pipes and papers, as well as lifestyle products like shirts and hoodies.

Didsbury mayor Rhonda Hunter said it was great to have Gutierrez in attendance at the council meeting.

"It was great that she was in attendance and had an interest to speak at the public hearing and to listen to the council discussion and motion regarding the cannabis bylaw," said Hunter. We are always excited that businesses are looking to make their home in Didsbury and to welcome them into our community."

Hunter said that the face of Canada's retail and commercial/industrial look is changing with the upcoming cannabis legalization and that it's important to keep an open mind to such ventures.

"Being inclusive and inviting is always in the best interest of a productive, viable, welcoming, diverse and progressive community," she said.

Lotus Agriculture Corp. has received a development permit from Mountain View County for medicinal and horticultural use for a 7.68-acre parcel located on Highway 582 approximately half a mile east of Didsbury.

The description of proposal for the county states that the application is for a federally licensed medical cannabis production facility.