Why is it important for the City to pass local regulations prior to legalization?

If the City of Nelson does not have local regulations for retail locations in place at the time of legalization, retail outlets with a provincial licence could locate anywhere in Nelson that retail is currently permitted. This includes:

  • In the downtown core and Baker Street
  • Along Nelson Avenue and Hwy 3A
  • In the west waterfront/industrial areas
  • In Railtown

There is a lot of demand to open cannabis retail outlets in Nelson. This could result in a variety of impacts for retailers, consumers and the public. The City wants to ensure zoning and regulations, such as location and number of retail outlets, are acceptable to residents and businesses in Nelson.

Existing rules, for example, require a minimum 1-kilometre separation between liquor stores.

In addition, cannabis legalization is intended to meet a number of public health goals that local regulations must address.

Show All Answers

1. I thought cannabis was already legal. What is happening now?
2. What is the City of Nelson able to regulate?
3. The federal government has made the decision to legalize cannabis. What else is being decided by the federal government?
4. What decisions has the Province of British Columbia made about cannabis legalization?
5. Why is it important for the City to pass local regulations prior to legalization?
6. What about Nelson's medical cannabis rules?
7. I’ve heard that Nelson has a moratorium to freeze the creation of new cannabis businesses. Why?
8. Our residential address has received a feedback form in the mail, but more than one household lives in our home.
9. My household or business did not receive a feedback form in the mail.
10. Why is the City’s feedback process not online?
11. Will ‘cannabis cafes’ be legal once cannabis is legal?
12. Will ‘edibles’ (cannabis food products) be legal?
13. Where will cannabis be allowed to be grown in Nelson once legal?
14. How will cannabis retail stores obtain their product?
15. What about public safety and health concerns?
16. What happens once cannabis is legalized?
17. How can I open a cannabis business in Nelson?
18. Will there be government-owned retail cannabis stores?
19. Where can I find more FAQs?