Starbuds flips council

Photo: Colin Dacre

Starbuds president Dave Martyn listening intently to city council debate his proposed cannabis store.

A strip mall off Penticton’s Main Street will have three cannabis stores, after city council Tuesday rescinded its rejection of a shop there.

Starbuds president Dave Martyn was before councillors today in an effort to convince them to rethink a rejection earlier this month of his proposed store at 2150 Main Street.

Council originally rejected the application due to the close proximity of two already-approved shops within the same commercial complex: Zen Canna and a BC Cannabis store.

Martyn Tuesday pointed to the city’s policy, which dictates a cap of 14 cannabis stores city-wide and makes no mention of limiting the shops close proximity to each other. 

He noted that multiple pot shops are in the process of setting up downtown near each other, arguing that his proposal meets all the criteria for approval set out by the city.

“We ask council to let the free market determine the winners and losers and ultimately we intend to be the best retailer in your city,” he said.

Kelowna-based Starbuds operates cannabis stores in Lake Country and Dawson Creek, with plans for additional licenses throughout B.C.

Campbell Watt and Julius Bloomfield, the only two of seven councillors to vote in favour of the shop the first time around, again implored their colleagues to let the free market decide what shops succeed. 

“If they can convince the public that they are the better business, then that’s the way it should be,” Bloomfield said.

“To take any other side to this, is almost stereotyping, and I’m very cautious not to do that,” Watt added.

Martyn’s presentation needed to flip two councillor votes, which he succeeded. Coun. Judy Sentes declared early on in the debate that she had changed her mind.

“I look down the street and there are women’s clothing stores side by side, you walk into the shopping centre and similar stores are side by side, I wholeheartedly agree that the clientele will determine which business succeeds and which does not,” she said.

After a lengthy discussion, Coun. Frank Regehr announced that he had changed his mind, although offered little explanation, and would support the store — enough to push the proposal over the finish line. 

Mayor John Vassilaki and Couns. Katie Robinson and Jake Kimberley maintained  their votes in opposition.

The City of Penticton has now approved 11 cannabis retail stores for the community, although the province must grant final approval to all. Just two are operating.