OSOYOOS — A marijuana product dispensary is being shut down by the Town of Osoyoos, just days after it opened.
Starbuds Canada, which on its website refers to it self as a ‘grass roots, community based, medical marijuana Medical Marijuana Access Centre based in the central Okanagan.’
The store on Main Street in Osoyoos opened last Wednesday. By Friday, the building inspector gave the franchise a ‘do not occupy’ notice because the store owner was operating without a proper business license, according to the town’s business inspector.
“We actually developed a business license for them on the condition that no marijuana products be handled or stored on site, and the business license was never issued,” explained Neil Pagett.
Osoyoos Mayor Sue McKortoff told Global News the town got a tip that the store was illegally selling marijuana.
The store owner was also given a warning from RCMP.
“A lot of these compassion clubs think they’re operating in a grey area. But from a policing standpoint, marijuana is still illegal,” said Cpl. Jason Bayda.
On Tuesday, the store was still open. Global News went inside requesting an interview, but the owner refused to comment, referring to the company’s head office in West Kelowna.
Head office staff would not comment.
The company also has locations in Kamloops and Penticton.
The owner of the Penticton outlet did confirm they do sell medical marijuana, adding business has been steady since the store opened in May.
According to Starbuds’ website, it is opening four more franchises this summer.