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Non-Medical Cannabis
The Federal Cannabis Act became law on October 17, 2018, and established a legal framework for controlling the lawful production, distribution, sale and possession of non-medical cannabis across Canada.
Each Province and Territory have the authority to regulate certain aspects including distribution and retail. Municipalities have authority to further regulate certain aspects such as retail (through land use and business licensing regulations) and public use (through smoking regulations).
The City of New Westminster implemented a cannabis regulatory framework in September 2018 in anticipation of the enactment of the Federal Cannabis Act. This page provides information on the cannabis regulatory framework in New Westminster.
Applications for cannabis retail stores were accepted from October 24 to December 5, 2018. The application period has closed. See the section Applications for Retail Cannabis Locations for more information.
Page last updated: May 13, 2021
Retail cannabis locations would be permitted in New Westminster, but are required to complete a site-specific rezoning process, similar to the process for applications for liquor stores and pubs.
All applications will go through a rezoning process which will include opportunities for public consultation.
Council has adopted the Cannabis Retail Rezoning Policy which will guide the City’s consideration of these rezoning applications. This policy provides guidelines for where applications could be considered: they should be located in commercial areas, located 150 metres from places where youth gather (such as schools and playgrounds) and located 200 metres from other cannabis retail locations. More information can be found on the Cannabis Retail Use Separation Distance Guidelines Map.
The policy also includes other considerations including business and neighbourhood security, business aesthetics and addressing nuisance activity.
On May 27, 2019, Council directed staff to proceed with an alternate review process for government-operated non-medical cannabis retail stores.
The application period for the initial intake of applications for retail cannabis locations closed on December 5, 2018. Those interested in operating a retail cannabis location within New Westminster are required to receive the necessary City approvals, including rezoning and business licenses. The Guide: Non-Medical Cannabis Retail Store – Initial Application Intake provides an overview of this process and further resources are provided below.
Six retail cannabis location applications were selected to move forward for additional consideration, as directed by Council following reports on March 11, 2019 and May 27, 2019. One application was unable to proceed and was replaced by Council as directed in the report on August 31, 2020. The six application recommended to move forward, and their current status, are summarized in the table below.
Business Name Location Geographic Area Status BC Cannabis Store 805 Boyd Street Queensborough Rezoning Completed Maple Leaf Greenery 71 Sixth Street Downtown Rezoning Completed Queensborough Cannabis 540 Ewen Avenue Remaining Commercial Areas Rezoning Completed Westcanna 710 Twelfth Street Remaining Commercial Areas Rezoning Completed Northroot Cannabis 416 E Columbia Street Sapperton Rezoning Completed Reel Reef 320 Sixth Street Uptown Rezoning Completed After completion of the rezoning, there are still a number of steps that the applicant would need to finalize before being permitted to open which may include: completion of the application the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch, renovations to the interior space involving Building and Plumbing Permits, hiring and training staff, ordering stock, and finalizing a business licence.
The following key documents guide the review of retail cannabis store applications:- Cannabis Retail Rezoning Policy
- Cannabis Retail Use Separation Distance Guidelines
- Cannabis Rezoning Application Evaluation Checklist (Initial Intake)
The following documents may also assist applicants in putting together application packages:
Personal cultivation (growing cannabis for personal use) is permitted within dwelling units within New Westminster, provided:
- Compliance with all Federal and Provincial regulations including (but not limited to):
- Not more than four plants;
- Plants must not be visible from public spaces off of the property;
- Not permitted in homes used as day-cares; and,
- All required permits are obtained.
- Does not include processing, manufacturing or retail sale of cannabis; and
- For multiple unit buildings, is located within a dwelling unit and not in common areas of the property.
Stratas and landlords have the ability to prohibit the cultivation of cannabis. For further information, refer to the Strata Property Act, the British Columbia Cannabis Webpage, or consult your landlord or strata representative.
- Compliance with all Federal and Provincial regulations including (but not limited to):
Smoking and vaping of cannabis, tobacco and other products are controlled by Smoking Control Bylaw No. 6263, 1995. This bylaw prohibits smoking and vaping in the following locations:
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On outdoor patios of businesses serving refreshments of food to the public;
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Within 7.5 metres of any opening into a building including any door, window that opens or any air intake; and
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Within 15 metres of an outdoor sports field, skate park, playground, lacrosse box, lawn bowling green, stadium, picnic area, water park, wading pool, swimming pool or off-leash dog area within a City park.
Stratas and landlords have the ability to prohibit the consumption of cannabis. For further information, refer to the Strata Property Act, the British Columbia Cannabis Webpage, or consult your landlord or strata representative.
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Cannabis production facilities are industrial facilities where cannabis is produced by a Federally licensed producer. Cannabis production facilities can be for the production of medical or recreational cannabis. Cannabis production facilities are permitted in Heavy Industrial Districts (M-2) provided they meet the following conditions:
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all operations related to the production, storage and processing of cannabis occur within a completely enclosed building; and
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the site on which the cannabis production facility is located is at least 60.9 metres (200 feet) from any site used for a school or for any residential use.
To access the Zoning Bylaw, click here.
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External Resources
- BC Liquor Distribution Branch Updates
- Province of BC: Non-Medical Cannabis Retail Licenses
- Government of British Columbia - BC's Approach to Cannabis Regulation
- Government of British Columbia - Cannabis Control and Licensing Interim Regulation
- Government of Canada - Legalization and Regulation of Cannabis
City of New Westminster Resources
Reports to Council
- March 29, 2021: Cannabis Retail Locations: Sapperton Area Application Update - Bylaw for First and Second Readings
- August 31, 2020: Cannabis Retail Locations: Updates and Bylaws for Readings
- August 28, 2019: Cannabis Retail Locations: Public Operator Updates and Rezoning Application - Bylaw for Consideration of Readings
- May 27, 2019: Cannabis: Retail Locations - Summary of Application Review Process
- April 8, 2019 Council Report: Cannabis Retail Sales Locations: Consideration of First and Second Readings for Five Cannabis Retail Locations
- March 11, 2019: Cannabis: New Retail Store Application Evaluation
- August 27, 2018: Recreational Cannabis: Consideration of Bylaws for Implementation of Cannabis Regulatory Framework
- July 9, 2018: Summary of Consultation, Proposed Regulatory Framework, and Next Steps
- June 18, 2018: Council Workshop / Town Hall Meeting: Cannabis Regulations
- February 19, 2018: Interim Cannabis Amendment Bylaw Adopted
- January 29, 2018: Cannabis Workshop: Implementation of Cannabis Legislation