The Town of Okotoks heard its first appeal in history concerning cannabis retail stores, and while it was a strange one, it showed the process is in place and concerns are going to be heard with sound, sober thought. The appellant on Thursday turned out to be an individual connected with Micro Gold Retail Cannabis Corporation who was appealing against a potential competitor — he sought a clear definition of what adult entertainment use is. A phone call to the planning department might have done the trick, but everyone deserves his or her day in court – or the subdivision and development appeal board hearing in this case. Adult entertainment use is quite clearly defined in the bylaws, pretty much restricted to adult book stores, adult videos, casinos and that ilk. It does not include cannabis stores — as was pointed out at the hearing. The reality is, much like liquor stores, restrictions are in place as set by the provincial government — no one under 18 is allowed to enter a cannabis retail store. Although, the proposed cannabis store which was being appealed will be in the same mall as the Okotoks cinemas and the popular Millenium Bowling Lanes, the sale of marijuana should have no more of an impact on minors than the liquor store in the same mall. The checks and balances are in place for cannabis stores. The stores are zoned direct control for discretionary use which means town council — those who were elected by Okotokians — have considerable say as to whether a marijuana retail facility can go at a specified location. Not to mention there are minimum distance guidelines a store can be from facilities such as schools and health care facilities. Finally, as the historic hearing of Sept. 13 showed, there is an appeal process. Decisions as to where to put cannabis stores are not being done in a haze.
