APPLICATIONS FOR RETAIL CANNABIS LOCATIONS
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: