Vernon council has approved the changes to its zoning bylaw to permit cannabis sales, processing and cultivation in many of its commercial and industrial zones.
The amendments to the bylaw now allow recreational cannabis sales in the following commercial zoning districts: C3 to C12 – Commercial, RTC – Resort Commercial, CD1 and CD5 – Comprehensive Development District.
In addition, the amendments permit cannabis cultivation facilities (medical, non-medical, micro-cultivation, hemp and nurseries) in the A1 – Agriculture within the ALR (a minimum of 50 m from any property where residential is the principal use) and I1 – Light Industrial districts (in enclosed buildings only), pursuant to licensing by the federal government.
Also, the amendments permit cannabis processing, micro-processing, analytical testing and research in the I1 – Light Industrial and I4 – Business Park zoning districts.
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The process to obtain a retail cannabis license or license for other cannabis-related activities is regulated by the province, or, in the case of medical cannabis, through the federal government.
Now that the amendments have been approved by council, the city can accept applications for cannabis sales and other cannabis activities.
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A public hearing was held Nov. 26 to gather public input on the zoning changes.
roger@vernonmorningstar.com
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