Pitt Meadows takes final step in approving its first cannabis store

September 12, 2023 | David Brown

City council in Pitt Meadows, BC, has formally approved their first cannabis store.

Following a meeting in July where the city tentatively approved an application for its first cannabis store, Pitt Meadows city staff informed council in a meeting on September 12 that it had received a referral from BC’s Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) for the retail location.

City Council then voted to formally adopt their new zoning bylaw for cannabis stores and sent approval of the application back to the LCRB.

While the final licensing authority for a cannabis store rests with the province, BC’s rules require that the province first receive feedback from the community where the store would be located.

In 2018, Pitt Meadows City Council voted to prohibit the retail sale of cannabis, although they did allow interested parties to apply for rezoning of specific sites on a case-by-case basis. However, the city had no bylaws in place if an applicant did come forward.

In 2022, cannabis retailer Seed & Stone applied, which led to a city staff report on how to address these types of applications. Council was largely supportive and passed several bylaws this past April to allow for hearings from applicants looking to open a cannabis store, as well as a separate licence for a cannabis farmgate storefront.

Seed & Stone has five locations in BC, including a partnership with the Songhees Nation

Vikram Sachdeva, the founder of Seed & Stone, says the process to become the first cannabis retailer to have a chance to open in Pitt Meadows was a challenging but rewarding one.

“This has been a two-year journey for us working with the city and the council,” says Sachdeva. “This approval not only empowers us to grow our business, but also allows us to create jobs and stimulate economic growth in the city. We look forward to working closely with local authorities and residents to ensure our operations benefit the community as a whole”.

He tells StratCann the retailer will be applying for a building permit and hopes to open in early 2024.