British Columbia’s fourth largest city is not reconsidering its ban on cannabis stores.
At a council meeting on Monday, May 8, 2023, Richmond City Council voted against a motion to ask staff to examine the option of cannabis stores in Richmond. Councillor Carol Day put forward the motion and it was opposed by three councillors and the mayor.
During the meeting Karina Reid, a Richmond resident, spoke about the federally approved cannabis stores and noted that Richmond residents should not have to go to neighbouring municipalities to obtain medicinal cannabis for health purposes. She urged council to reconsider allowing cannabis stores in Richmond.
Richmond City Council unanimously opposed cannabis legalization in 2017. Since legalization, the city has continued to ban the sale of cannabis within Richmond. Residents wishing to purchase non-medical cannabis can do so through the province’s online distribution centre or licensed outlets elsewhere in BC.
Cannabis Deserts
The province has been called out by the BC Chamber of Commerce and others for allowing municipalities to ban cannabis stores, creating ‘cannabis deserts’ that hold back the industry and allow the illicit cannabis market to thrive.
Other BC Municipalities Uphold Ban
Five municipalities in BC still don’t allow legal cannabis stores: Whistler, Richmond, Pitt Meadows, Surrey, and Langley City.
Whistler Council endorsed a cannabis retail policy in August 2022 and finalized bylaw amendments to regulate cannabis retail stores in January 2023. The municipality received ten applications for Cannabis Retail Temporary Use Permits in March 2023 and stores are currently under development.
The City of Pitt Meadows addressed the lack of cannabis retailers at a council meeting in March 2023. Colin O’Byrne, manager of planning for the city, presented some council policy and bylaw updates for cannabis retail licence applications. The city continues to prohibit all retail sales.
There have been reports that the City of Surrey is considering allowing cannabis stores, after being called on by the Surrey Board of Trade to create a policy that would allow them.
West Vancouver, Burnaby, Delta, Coquitlam, The Township of Langley, Abbotsford, and Hope all previously banned cannabis stores but have since allowed them.