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One of the two dispensaries operating without a temporary use permit in Penticton has closed its doors.
Okanagan Cannabis Solutions opened up shop in mid-January – about a month after city council denied the store a temporary use permit to operate in the city – and has faced weekly $250 fines followed by daily fines of $500.
A sign has now appeared on the store’s front door, indicating that the store has closed its doors due to the decision from mayor and council.
“Due to our continuing conflict with the mayor and the city council, we are temporarily closing our doors until a resolution is reached,” the sign reads.
The city’s development services director Anthony Haddad says the move is welcomed by the city.
“It’s a good sign; we’re going to continue to work with them to ensure they do not operate in the city,” Haddad said, adding that the decision to close may reflect well on the shop if it applies after promised federal legislation comes through to legalize marijuana recreationally. “I think it’s fair to say that we’ll definitely be looking at the history of their previous operations in the city.”
In December, council voted in favour of permitting two pot shops to operate in the city, while the remaining five applicants were denied, including Okanagan Cannabis Solutions and Herbal Green Apothecary.
A recent B.C. Supreme Court ruling, cheered by the city, has given municipalities a stronger hand on the matter, with a decision giving cities the power to regulate pot shops.
Castanet has reached out to Okanagan Cannabis Solutions previously, but the store has a no-comment policy.
Meanwhile, Herbal Green Apothecary remains open on Westminster Avenue, despite a lack of a business licence.
Haddad says staff will be coming to council sometime in March to begin the process of getting a court injunction on Herbal Green.
Each shop has been fined between $12,000 and $15,000 in fines, according to Haddad, who says Herbal Green will continue getting the $500 daily fines.
Some issues are still ongoing with Okanagan Cannabis Solutions – namely a sign out front that advertises it is selling an illegal product.
But Haddad says the fines have ceased for the business, as the city works with it to get the sign removed.
A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the shops had paid their fines.
