Three permits approved

Black Diamond administration has approved three development permit applications for retail cannabis stores in town, yet it will be a while before any doors open.
Sharlene Brown, chief administrative officer, said the Town completed three approvals for stores since last October’s nationwide legalization.
She said each was accepted by the Municipal Planning Commission, with notification given to the public through the Town’s website and via signage. No appeals were made.
“It doesn’t mean anything is happening at this point in time,” she said. “They are going through the process with AGLC (Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis) and will need building permits. There’s still lots to do.”
Anyone considering opening a cannabis retail store must undergo background checks, pay more than $4,000 in fees, receive municipal approval and meet both business and retail store requirements – a process that could take two to four months, according to information provided by the AGLC website.
In addition, the AGLC currently isn’t accepting applications or issuing additional cannabis retail licences as a result of the national cannabis supply shortage.
Brown said if the applicants are successful throughout the process, the stores will be located in the Country Food Mart AG Foods strip mall and downtown core along Centre Avenue.
Black Diamond Mayor Ruth Goodwin said it will not happen any time soon.
“It doesn’t mean that three are going to pop up throughout town because there is still an extensive process they have to go through for approval,”
she said.
As for the future of cannabis stores in Black Diamond, Goodwin considers it a wait-and-see scenario.
“It’s like anything else, what can the community bear and support,” she said. “If all three open up it will be a very competitive environment, I would imagine. Black Diamond may not be the best place to have multiple cannabis stores. Calgary only has 20 and it has 1.4 million people.”
Nonetheless, Goodwin said Black Diamond is open for business. Administration and council spent several hours creating bylaws and establishing safety measures in preparation for the legalization of cannabis, she said.
“We do very well for our businesses,” she said. “Black Diamond is one of the best municipalities to own and operate a business or to move into as a community that will support most businesses.”