By Lara Fominoff @LaraFominoff on Twitter and Patrick Burles @PatrickBurles on Twitter

UPDATED: City council changes bylaw for location of retail cannabis stores in Lethbridge

Jun 25, 2018 | 5:14 PM

LETHBRIDGE – The framework has been put in place by City Council for retail cannabis stores to be able to open-shop in Lethbridge once recreational use becomes legal in October.

Bylaw 6123, an amendment to Land Use Bylaw 5700, passed Second and Third Readings by Council unanimously at Monday’s meeting (June 25). When cannabis consumption becomes legal, it will allow for retail cannabis stores in five types of commercial districts – Downtown Commercial, General Commercial, Highway Commercial, Neighbourhood Commercial, and Shopping Mall Commercial.

Stores cannot be located within 100 metres of a property line of any schools, future school sites or provincial health care facilities. 

However, the bylaw was also amended to indicate that home schooling programs are not included in the bylaw.

Retailers will also be required to meet the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission’s (AGLC) licensing requirements to get municipal development approval. Under rules from the AGLC, retail cannabis stores are cannot co-locate within businesses that sell alcohol, tobacco products or pharmaceutical drugs.

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“This bylaw update ensures Lethbridge has land-use guidelines in place that provide certainty for business people interested in opening retail cannabis stores in the city,” said Mayor Chris Spearman in a media release. “It establishes reasonable distance requirements for these stores that are aligned with those recommended by the province.

The passing of the bylaw had been postponed for two weeks, after a June 12 Community Issues Committee Meeting and a Public Hearing was also held to gather information from experts, and to allow for the public to have their say on the bylaw amendment.

Councillor Joe Mauro asked for the postponement, so he could consider the information, however he was not present at Monday’s meeting.

During Monday’s debate, three protesters, including Rabbi Sidney Speakman from the Joyful House or Prayer synagogue raised signs reading “Keep cannabis stores 100 metres from churches,” and “Why keep cannabis stores away from school and not churches?”

Speakman, who also was at a Community Issues Committee Meeting, said at that time, that there were plans for a cannabis retail store near the synagogue on 13 St. N., and that churches, as places of gathering, learning and teaching, should be included in the 100-metre separation distance. He asked for a 150-metre separation distance and presented a petition to city council signed by a variety of religious leaders and congregation members.

As the bylaw amendment passed third reading, Spearman asked the three men holding the signs to put them down, but they refused. The council meeting was then briefly halted, while a security officer then asked the men to leave council chambers with their signs. 

After the meeting, the mayor expressed his disappointment with the men’s actions, especially that of Rabbi Speakman, saying what he did in council chambers was disrespectful. 

“It really violates our rules on decorum. We don’t allow visible protest signs in the chamber. We don’t allow people to cheer or boo during the discussion. We just want to have a healthy environment for discussion. We don’t want councillors to be intimidated by people.” 

And he added that religion or moral values did not belong in the debate. 

“We really can’t let religious beliefs influence, you know, and people’s values influence any greater than those provided by the province and the federal government. What we’re saying is why should things be different in Lethbridge than anywhere else.”

Councillor Ryan Parker also made a point of expressing that while he supported the city’s efforts, he was not happy about cannabis legalization.

“I do support what our administration’s brought forth. They put a lot of time and effort into this. But in not in any way, by me supporting this, do I endorse the use. And I want to make that public, because it’s a divisive issue in our community.”

The city noted that they will wait on developing any local bylaw restrictions on public consumption, until after the federal and provincial governments reveal any possible regulations.

The recent decision by the federal government allows for the possession of up to 30 grams of recreational cannabis across Canada, starting Oct. 17, 2018.