City of Penticton nixes pot shops

The City of Penticton’s licensing program for marijuana dispensaries is going up in smoke.

In December, two pot shops were granted six-month temporary use permits as the city waited for the federal government to legalize cannabis.

But in a 5-2 vote Tuesday, council decided not to extend those permits, essentially banning pot shops city-wide.

“We looked at reducing any legal liability to having them and we wanted to align with other municipalities up and down the valley so it’s consistent with people wanting access to marijuana,” said Penticton mayor Andrew Jakubeit.

Councillor Max Picton cast one of two dissenting votes.

Get weekly health news

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.

Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“We used the temporary operating permit as sort of a trial basis to see how it worked out for the city, and from my personal standpoint, I feel that it worked well,” said Picton.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We used the temporary operating permit as sort of a trial basis to see how it worked out for the city, and from my personal standpoint, I feel that it worked well," said Picton.

Okanagan Cannabinoid Therapy declined to comment but said in a letter to council said they’ve been acting professionally and haven’t violated any conditions of the permit.

The owner of Green Essence also declined to comment. But in her letter to council, Melissa Osiowy said “In the past six months we have seen a huge spike in seniors that come through our door, looking for an alternative to the opioids that are being handed out so freely…I believe we are providing much needed accommodations for those seniors in need.”

Customers said they rely on the dispensaries to help with different ailments and may be forced back to street supplies.

“It kind of helps me relax a little bit after work because I really can’t shut my brain off,” said Aaron Piche who suffers from insomnia.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It kind of helps me relax a little bit after work because I really can't shut my brain off," said Aaron Piche who suffers from insomnia.

The city wants the dispensaries to transform into pot-free “wellness centres.”

“They can sell drug paraphernalia they just can’t sell cannabis product itself,” Jakubeit said.

The city will attempt to negotiate court-approved consent-orders with the dispensaries limiting them to wellness centres.

Staff said the transition could take a few months.

WATCH: Global Okanagan’s ongoing coverage of marijuana dispensaries in the Okanagan.

2:10 Questions raised after Penticton RCMP order pot shops to close

• Questions raised after Penticton RCMP order pot shops to close
• RCMP have yet to take action on West Kelowna pot shops
• Defiant Penticton pot shop owner refuses to close despite city order
• Penticton mayor, council to consider issuing 7 pot dispensary permits
• City of Penticton takes pot shop to court
• Penticton pot shop bows to RCMP pressure, closes
• Penticton pot dispensaries get temporary permits
• Marijuana dispensary back in business despite losing license
• Licence suspension doesn’t stop owner from selling marijuana

Previous Video

Next Video