City of W.K. Shuts Down 2 Pot Shops

[TreeGuy]

https://www.castanet.net/edition/news-story-208805-101-.htm#208805

Why these two shops?

[dodgerdodge]

Not aware either address is on WFN land but how do you obtain a business licence in the first place to operate what is technically an illegal business. Who cares what might happen next year i am just intrigued as to how they obtained the licences.
Was it deception or did DWK make an error in granting them?

[Bpeep]

Does anyone know how the one on the corner of Asher and 33 has been operating for over a decade?

[stuphoto]

Does W.K. actually want a profitable business?

Being so close to being legalized, I am wondering if WK is opening themselves up for a lawsuit.

[Salamander420]

This is very simple.. pot shop obtain their product from illegal sources.. the fed want the sourced pot to come from the licenced producers it has been putting in place for year.. they want accountability they want a paper trail.. all these clubs buy from licenced med growers but it clearly states on our paperwork from health Canada we are not allowed to sell our excess product.. it is illegal it is illegal for them to buy it as it is illegal for us to sell it.. it is black and white.. and the idea of a charter challenge in west k is a waste of time.. they don't not have a leg to stand on... this is not a charter of rights issues it is polictical.. I wonder why they pick on these two clubs but leave the other three on and off main street to open freely... its boils down to who you know.. its all a joke.. hope they close them all done unless they are willing to purchase from the government

[goalie]

Haha weedsters are so delusional. Must be all the product they smoke. Govt will take over and they won't allow small time dispensaries.

And I agree with the statement above, some of these dispensaries are allowed to operate because they coughing up some cash on the side or are connected in other ways with kelowna/west kelowna council.

[WalterWhite]

This makes no sense. It's either all - or nothing. How can other dispensaries remain untouched - yet these two have their licenses revoked at the drop of a hat? Got to be more to this - although, this is the council of West Kelowna.

[forumdoug]

https://www.castanet.net/edition/news-story-208805-101-.htm#208805

Why these two shops?

I was at that Council meeting - first one I attended - that's a stock/file photo Castanet is using for that story! Coun. Neis was not in attendance at this meeting.

I actually there because I wanted to speak to an issue at the Public Hearing before it and stayed for a portion of the Council meeting that followed.

Cheers,
Doug

[forumdoug]

Does W.K. actually want a profitable business?

Being so close to being legalized, I am wondering if WK is opening themselves up for a lawsuit.

I wondered that as well. Both have been operating for in excess of 3 years already, each time their business license was renewed. Coun. Zanon, whom I normally don't agree with on a number of issues, said her preference would've just been to opt to not renew their business license next year, though she ultimately voted in favour (the vote was, sadly, unanimous, even if she and Coun. Ensign voted in favour seemingly somewhat reluctantly). I wouldn't have preferred either approach but at least her proposal was a bit more palatable and potentially less injurious from a legal standpoint to the City. The manager of the second business subject to a rescinding order of their business license, the one on Westgate Road, did raise the possibility of "Charter challenge(s)."

I tend to side with the first business' representative, their attorney, who urged Council to table the staff report and defer a decision until they've formalized a policy, which he rightly said would need to happen within 3-4 months).

Also, why the focus on these two businesses and not on the three similar businesses operating on Main Street or on Old Okanagan Highway within the municipality or on the other businesses within Westbank First Nation? To me, this strikes me as a case of an over-zealous Senior Bylaw Enforcement Officer for the municipality and Council is simply listening and accepting his Council Report verbatim. It's unfortunate. :(

Cheers,
Doug

[heycarmelina]

Please don't refer to people who use marijuana in such negative stereotypical terms. I am 27 and a nurse and I use marijuana as a sleep aide after being unsuccessful with a very long list of pharmaceuticals. I am actually able to do more than ever with this product. Luckily I stocked up and should be okay until marijuana is legalized. I've seen "weedsters" (maybe you meant stoners?) More productive than anyone else sober I'ver ever met.

[steve mc]

my understanding is the other ones do not have business lic and have been operating anyway this was done because they should not have been lic to begin with as they are illegal so now what will they be shut down? I have been to three and it is very easy to buy marijuna the whole process is a joke,


.

[steve mc]

concil nies can not vote as she is a shareholder in marijuna company

[pentona]

I am neither pro or con these stores (don't use the stuff), but one would wonder why in the heck would any city ever issue a business licence to a retailer who is selling a product that is still Illegal in Canada? Maybe the city councils of the day should look in the mirror a bit and give their heads a shake?

[steve mc]

they are luck they were not sued to lic an illegal business would make them libel

[Salamander420]

If they want to be treated like legit business owners then they should act like it and follow the rules like every other honest business owner does.. nothing but a joke is right.. lets call a spade a spade for once.. sure its a quick cash grab they don't give two $%^$& about nothing but profits. the whole industry is greed driven and now the feds want in on the action no big surprise,, this will all back fire and the black market will flourish