City council committee to discuss new zoning bylaws for cannabis stores
A city council committee will soon discuss new zoning bylaws for retail cannabis stores.
Walking down Osborne Street, pedestrians have a wide variety of cannabis retailers to choose from.
"Yeah, I've seen a lot pop up over the past couple of years around here," said Natasha Kuzyk, who was walking in Osborne Village.
"I've noticed a steady increase around here. I haven't been paying too much attention, but I have noticed a lot more people smoking out in the open in the area," noted Roth Kensley-Speelman, who was also walking in Osborne Village.
A new City of Winnipeg report said Osborne Village is one of three Winnipeg neighbourhoods to have cannabis retailers within 50 metres of each other.
The report is recommending cannabis bylaws be part of the upcoming City of Winnipeg bylaw review.
John Arbuthnot, the CEO of Delta 9 Cannabis, said the rise in stores could be traced back to when the province dropped its zoning rules in June 2020.
"That competition is becoming quite fierce. It's not uncommon in some areas such as Osborne Village, Corydon as well, to see multiple competitors popping up within only a few block radius," said Arbuthnot.
According to the city, in October 2020, Winnipeg had approximately 14 cannabis stores. As of October 2021, the city said there are now 73.
The increase has caught Councillor Ross Eadie's attention.
"When you have a lot of that, it's giving almost a marijuana district to aspect to it saying this is the sort of societal, cultural image happening in the Osborne Village or whatever," said Eadie.
Along with the density of the stores, another concern is that no zoning bylaw exists to stop stores from opening beside schools and parks.
"No matter what we do to the zoning bylaw in the future, those existing places that are close to schools will remain there. There is not going to be any tool to remove them," noted Eadie.
The idea of tighter restrictions of stores has Winnipeggers split, with some CTV News spoke to saying a little more regulation is needed
"I think that is probably a good idea," said Kensley-Speelman.
"I really can't think of a reason to. If people want access to it, they are going to find it," said Kuzyk.
"I agree with the schools. I think maybe four blocks away from schools," said Phoenix Kawakami.
The zoning bylaws will be discussed at the Property and Development Committee meeting on December 2.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.
Security guard shot, critically injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.