Kelowna city council will reconsider its bylaw restricting cannabis stores from being at least 500 metres apart. 

On Monday, council decided to forward an application from Grasshopper Cannabis for a store at 1636 Pandosy Street to a future public hearing. 

Photo Credit: City of Kelowna.

The store’s application was originally rejected because the location sits within 500 m of an already approved but yet to officially open cannabis store at 547 Bernard Avenue. 

However, Grasshopper Cannabis has requested an amendment to the bylaw that would permit their store to operate approximately 263 m “from closest line to closest line” to the Bernard Ave cannabis store.

Councillor Charlie Hodge cited the popularity of the HOBO Cannabis store on Springfield Road and suggested that there is more than enough demand for two cannabis stores to operate in the downtown core.

"We've inadvertently created a monopoly here," said Hodge. 

"I can't think of any other retail business with these types of restrictions." 

The City of Kelowna requires new retail liquor stores to be a kilometre apart, however, bars that serve non "take home" alcohol are permitted to operate within that distance.

Coun. Gail Given agreed that the density of the downtown core could allow for two stores without setting a precedent that would undermine the City's bylaws that prevent a cluster of cannabis stores. 

"I don't believe even as many as three stores in the downtown core would be too many," suggested Coun. Luke State.

Mayor Colin Basran, Coun. Ryan Donn and Coun. Maxine Dehart voted against the bylaw amendment. 

"I'm not opposing this because I don't like cannabis stores," said Mayor Basran. 

"It's about timing, we're still waiting for the store we initially approved to open downtown. I don't see why we need to be in a rush to change the rules and approve a second." 

The public hearing will likely take place next month.