Town of Bonnyville council has passed their amended cannabis consumption and land use bylaws.
Changes made by town council to the cannabis consumption bylaw prohibit the drug from being smoked in public places. Further amendments to the area’s cannabis retail bylaw means marijuana businesses are no longer restricted to one sign.
Public hearings were held on Tuesday, Nov. 13, during the town’s regular council meeting. No one voiced any concerns or comments for amendments made to either of the bylaws.
Cannabis consumption bylaw
Council passed first reading of their cannabis consumption bylaw during an Oct. 23 meeting, restricting the use of recreational marijuana in public areas. The issue was back on the table for second and final reading at last Tuesday’s meeting.
CAO Mark Power requested council reconsider including cannabis use in vehicles in their list of restrictions because it’s already being controlled by the province, rendering the municipal rule irrelevant.
“We should strike that from the bylaw because that’s already regulated by the provincial government... It’s provincial law, and we can’t supersede provincial law,” he detailed.
Mayor Gene Sobolewski noted, “The amendments to the bylaw are essentially saying you can’t smoke cannabis in public in Bonnyville. The only place you can do it is in your private residence.”
Now that the bylaw has been changed, recreational cannabis will be treated similarly to alcohol.
“With alcohol, you can drink it in a bar or in designated areas,” Sobolewski added.
Council passed the bylaw, agreeing to remove the clause regarding consumption in vehicles.
If someone is caught smoking in a prohibited area, they will be asked to put it out. If they refuse, it’s at the discretion of the responding officer on how they proceed.
For the first offence, someone is liable up to a $200 fine with subsequent fines being no less than the original fine but no more than $2,500.
Signage regulations amended
The town’s land use bylaw regarding cannabis retail establishments was also back for discussion.
Council passed the amended bylaw after there were no objections during the public hearing.
The original land use bylaw limited recreational cannabis businesses to one identifying sign. A request was made by a local business owner during council’s meeting on Sept. 11 to discuss the possibility of changing the regulation.
Kyle Sargent, owner and manager of The Hive Cannabis Co., noted in his letter to the town that the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC) “implemented a very comprehensive sign policy” and questioned if restricting the amount of signs was necessary.
“Limiting my business to one sign isn’t impartial, and could be detrimental to my business... The retail cannabis store is simply another business opening up in our town, and adding to the local economy. My business should have the same sign bylaws imposed on me as any other business,” he expressed in the letter.
Power noted the amendment to the land use bylaw was originally established when council first started discussing cannabis retail establishments coming to the area, with the town having no federal or provincial mandates to follow regarding the issue.
Council agreed to reconsider the matter at their Sept. 11 meeting, which allowed administration to make the suggested change.
Power noted, “The cannabis retail stores would be the same as all the other retail stores as far as signs are concerned.”
Currently, businesses within the Town of Bonnyville are permitted three signs on their property, excluding fascia signs. Signs can be illuminated, but can’t flash, and they must be in good condition.
Detailed designs of the signs must be submitted to the development authority prior to approval.
Currently, there are two cannabis businesses setting up shop in Bonnyville, Canna Cabana and The Hive. Both establishments had their development permits approved by the town, after meeting the municipal requirements.
A full copy of the bylaw is available on the town’s website.
