Photo by Stephanie Waddell
COUNCIL ASKED TO ACT – Lee Goodwin addresses city council Tuesday evening. He said he has secured a location in NVD Place for a medical marijuana dispensary, but needs a city bylaw altered to pursue his plans.
Loosen cannabis sales bylaw, city council is urged
Lee Goodwin is continuing his call for the city to allow for cannabis retail sales outside of the Marwell neighbourhood.
Lee Goodwin is continuing his call for the city to allow for cannabis retail sales outside of the Marwell neighbourhood.
Goodwin appeared before council Tuesday evening. He asked that council amend the city bylaw restricting the sale of retail cannabis to Marwell once the expected legalization happens effective Oct. 17.
Last February, the city passed a bylaw to restrict the sales, for now, to Marwell.
The territory will be the only retailer of legal, recreational marijuana when it’s legalized, though it’s anticipated at some point a second phase of implementation will allow for private retail sales.
Goodwin already has a licence from Health Canada to grow his own pot for medical purposes. He has been vocal in his opposition to restricting retail sales to Marwell.
Last night, Goodwin continued to argue against it, asking that council amend the bylaw.
He pointed out Marwell is not a convenient location for those who have to take transit to get their medical marijuana, as most will have to transfer buses in the downtown area.
He also pointed out that the distinction on city maps between the Marwell neighbourhood and the downtown area is not always clear.
Goodwin noted he has secured a location in NVD Place – the former Canadian Tire building on Fourth Avenue. Now a commercial space, the building features a medical clinic, pharmacy and a dental clinic along with other retail spaces. Goodwin said it’s the right spot for his dispensary – but the city bylaw has to change first.
Marwell was selected as the only location for retail pot sales for its central location; its compatibility with business district retailers and other land uses in the area; the available buildings and lease potential, its close proximity to the Yukon Liquor Corp. offices (with the liquor corporation serving as the management agent for cannabis retailing); and accessibility to public transit.
It’s anticipated the location restriction may change when private retailers are permitted to sell retail cannabis.
Coun. Rob Fendrick was absent from last night’s council meeting.
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Comments (10)
Up 4 Down 0
Charles on Sep 10, 2018 at 1:01 pm
@ Doug.
I think you misread my post. I'll clarify it for you.
My experience is not selling it, but enjoying it every now and then. In my view, a Salesperson should know the product he or she sells in order to best serve the customer. If not a Stoner then who? I ask you. Besides, if I was selling drugs I would not need a job. But thanks for your advice.
Up 2 Down 1
Josey Wales on Sep 9, 2018 at 4:34 pm
Hey M.O. ...today we agree, but I suspect for different reasons.
I care not who “deals” it, but during this morph the best crew to dabble in the trade are the very folks not held to the same legal standards or standing.
My cynical thinker says the PC Crusaders in our swamp will enable this as with most equity philosophies and hide like rats whilst we slide down the black diamond of engineered slippery slopes...the many upcoming legal challenges.
Whoever is “allowed” by our nobles to distribute their votes...I mean products I just hope it is done in a fair free market style key word
>>>> for everyone...gasp!
That said, considering nothing else up here is done in the way illustrated above....not certain which of the rings in this circus to pay attention too?
Would love to be a fly on the wall, listening to our civic/YG wizards debate this around the snack bar, cake day, smoke breaks, coffee strolls, whilst they warm chairs listening to the hum of fluorescents....as they most certainly do not listen to us...mere peasants.
This post was done in the comfort of tommy copper socks, two tone secular comfy socks that claim to support Miner’s with their greedyants.
Just seeing if the PM’s sock advisors are taking notes for the next sock hop on what the peasants wear, perhaps how they vote, if they even wear fancy socks, if they even vote...ya know a pulse?
Whom deals drugs here aside, as a community and a country...we have flatlined. we need a political defibrillator biglyus timus....CLEEEAR!
…
Up 3 Down 0
My Opinion on Sep 9, 2018 at 3:56 pm
@Doug
Sounds like you may have some experience of your own. Haha.
Up 4 Down 5
My Opinion on Sep 8, 2018 at 1:54 pm
Mark MY Words. The First Nations will be the ones selling this. Some have already organized. That will be the Free Enterprise.
Up 9 Down 8
Trevor Howard on Sep 7, 2018 at 7:52 am
Appears some of our YTG officials must be living in the 1930's. It didn't work then and won't work now. If you do not give access to a legal substance then your are promoting sales and helping the people stay in business in the illegal drug trade.
Up 3 Down 7
Doug Ryder on Sep 6, 2018 at 10:54 pm
@ Charles - I understand that this is going to be a patronage appointment for former Government Leader - Dennis Fentie. He has lots of experience as well.
Pasloski was considered but the drugs he sold actually hurt people - not like marijuana at all.
You have experience selling drugs? Send YTG your resume and forward your references to the RCMP to have them checked out.
Good luck with your endeavours.
Up 10 Down 1
Antonio on Sep 6, 2018 at 7:52 pm
Have we not been collecting taxes off the existing head shops? Have they not been supplying their customers with whatever legal product in this field that they could? I don't agree with the Government cutting local businesses out of their fare and competing unfairly with free enterprise. Stop wasting so much money and it will seem like your actually making it. This is not Russia.
Up 7 Down 7
Josey Wales on Sep 6, 2018 at 1:20 am
Silly Lee....bylaw amending and zoning etch a sketching are for CoW cronies not stoners.
Love the tactic, but Lee you are pissing in the wind with our civic nobility.
The NVD angle may help, cash would not surprise me (cynical comment not accusation)...
Seems the winds of change are blowing, hopefully the culture/political windbags in our Hall will find itself saying...we are not in our safe space, this doesn’t feel like the castle....and these commoners ?
Folks stay tuned for debris everywhere, it is getting windy.
Across the moat they go...
Up 16 Down 8
Ilove Parks on Sep 5, 2018 at 7:24 pm
I agree with Lee.
His location is near major bus routes and it's convenient for shoppers. Since it will be legalized why hide it away like it's something illegal and why not let private enterprise run with it from the start.
We should ensure it's at least 50 metres from schools.
Up 12 Down 4
Charles on Sep 5, 2018 at 5:21 pm
I wonder what kind of Job experience one has to have to apply for a Position at this Store.
I sure have over 20 Years experience and consider myself an expert in that field.
I am told it is a internal Government applying Hiring Policy and only people from the Liquor store are considered.