A new cannabis store is coming soon to Coldwater Road West.
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) confirmed it has received an application from the cannabis retail chain One Plant, which is planning to soon open at 289-293 Coldwater Rd. W., Unit 105.
Members of the public had until Nov. 1 to file an objection or submission related to the application.
The AGCO has identified only three matters of public interest that will be considered by the registrar in the objection phase. They are: protecting public health and safety, protecting youth and restricting their access to cannabis, and preventing illicit activities in relation to cannabis.
If an objection is filed, the applicant receives a copy of the objection and can work with the AGCO toward a resolution.
The AGCO may then review the applicant’s original submission at a hearing or may call a public meeting where the person filing an objection may participate.
You can find out more information about the AGCO cannabis retail store licence process here.
Melissa Gowanlock, the city's manager of communications, confirmed the City of Orillia didn't file any objections to the AGCO related to the new store.
One Plant, which has over 50 locations across the province, will share a parking lot with Zehrs, Pizza Nova, BMO Bank of Montreal, and the LCBO.
There are already six cannabis stores in Orillia including Sessions Cannabis on Diana Drive, Buds 4 Less on Mississaga Street West, Friendly Stranger on Mississaga Street East, Shinybud Cannabis on West Ridge Boulevard, The Den Cannabis on Atherley Road, and Miss Jones Sunshine City Outpost on Mississaga Street East.
There was also Bonnefire Cannabis Dispensary on Mississaga Street East, but it has since closed. There was also Uplift Cannabis on Memorial Avenue but, it's temporarily closed, according to its website.
There is no legislation limiting the number of retail stores allowed in a municipality.
The Cannabis Licence Act states municipalities do not have authority to pass a Planning Act bylaw that would distinguish between using a building for sale of cannabis, and one that cannot be used for a cannabis store based on the zoning designation.
The AGCO will not approve a licence for a cannabis retail store that is less than 150 metres from a school or private school, but does not indicate any buffer zones for parks.
The decision to approve a cannabis retail store falls under the jurisdiction of the AGCO and the city may not withhold a building permit once the AGCO has granted its approval, noted Gowanlock. However, she said "Orillia City Council believes it is not in the public interest" for any cannabis retail store to be located within 150 metres of the following uses:
- Other cannabis retail stores;
- Elementary, secondary, post-secondary, and private schools;
- Public parks;
- City-owned recreational establishments;
- Child care centres;
- Libraries (public);
- Medical clinics used to provide addiction treatment services; and
- Facilities that provide tutoring services to persons under 19 years of age.
Under the city’s comprehensive zoning bylaw, cannabis stores need to be located within a zone that permits a retail store. Gowanlock confirms the Zehrs Plaza is appropriately zoned for such use.
One Plant did not respond to OrilliaMatters request for comment.
-- With files from Erika Engel
