Red Deerians are encouraged to take a city survey on the rules for cannabis.
On March 5 city council gave first reading to bylaws that outline rules around everything from the distance a recreational cannabis retail store is located from schools, health facilities, liquor stores and recreation facilities, to areas where stores could be located.
The survey focuses on three key areas:
- Where recreational cannabis retail stores should (or should not) be located in Red Deer.
- Where it should be ok (or not ok) to use recreational cannabis.
- Where home growing should take place.
The survey will be posted to the city’s website until April 9.
Survey responses will be stripped of any identifying information and will be presented to council before it makes its decisions around rules and regulations related to the legalization of cannabis.
A public hearing will also be held on April 16 at 6 p.m. in council chambers for residents and stakeholders to present their ideas and concerns about cannabis as it relates to the proposed amendments.
The hearing is related only to the land use bylaw amendments currently being considered, which outlines where cannabis retail stores are located as well as the minimum distance between recreational cannabis retails stores and liquor stores, schools, health and recreational facilities.
Proposed bylaws call for a 300-metre minimum distance, which is an increase from the province’s minimum distance of 100 metres, with the exception of post-secondary schools remaining at 100 metres.
The bylaw proposes to limit retail cannabis sales to commercially zoned areas, mostly along Gaetz Avenue and 67th Street, and in the downtown.
Citizens are invited to participate in the survey and/or submit any general comments as part of the public hearing submission. For more information about public hearings visit www.reddeer.ca/publichearings.
For more information about the legalization of cannabis, visit www.reddeer.ca.