The work to transition into a recreation marijuana retailer continues for West Kelowna乌鸦传媒檚 Mary Jane Headquarters owner Chris Gayford.
After a rollercoaster application process with the City of West Kelowna, Gayford乌鸦传媒檚 application to city council was approved in late March, potentially allowing him to become the city乌鸦传媒檚 fifth legal pot retailer. But the process is far from over.
乌鸦传媒淚 tell people hold on to the graduations, I乌鸦传媒檓 not there yet,乌鸦传媒� said Gayford. 乌鸦传媒淚 still have a way to go, but now, I get to go through the process.
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Gayford乌鸦传媒檚 initial application of transitioning his West Kelowna Mary Jane乌鸦传媒檚 from an apparel and accessories store into a recreation marijuana retailer, wasn乌鸦传媒檛 approved by West Kelowna council. Council had put Mary Jane乌鸦传媒檚 on an on-hold list, and would be considered for approval if one of the other applicants backed out.
Council heard out Gayford乌鸦传媒檚 plea that suggested they reconsider, as Mary Jane乌鸦传媒檚 had been a long standing legal business in West Kelowna for seven years.
乌鸦传媒淚t was my integrity as a business person in West Kelowna; I didn乌鸦传媒檛 bend my morals based on what other people were doing when illegal cannabis stores were opening,乌鸦传媒� said Gayford.
And though council approved Gayford乌鸦传媒檚 application, the process continues with first and second readings scheduled at council, along with a public hearing.
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After the city乌鸦传媒檚 deliberations, West Kelowna council will put forward a positive recommendation for Gayford to the provincial government. From there, the provincial process will determine if Gayford乌鸦传媒檚 business is a good candidate.
乌鸦传媒淭he goal is to make sure the candidates aren乌鸦传媒檛 criminals. There乌鸦传媒檚 a security screen, and (they check) financial integrity. They go through great lengths to make sure legal recreation stays legal,乌鸦传媒� he said.
Gayford乌鸦传媒檚 20 year work experience, along with contact information will be a determining factor. As well as what kind of security measures are in place, how many tills, etc. at his business.
Once approval is given from B.C., a license is given, and Cheeba Cheeba will be introduced.
Cheeba Cheeba will be the new name of Mary Jane乌鸦传媒檚 if all goes according to Gayford乌鸦传媒檚 plans.
乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 an old school name, and we wanted to differentiate ourselves, and the name puts a smile on your face.乌鸦传媒�
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There were 10 applications for recreation pot shops in West Kelowna, and only five were selected, including Gayford乌鸦传媒檚. Though congratulations aren乌鸦传媒檛 due yet, Gayford is happy about the progression.
乌鸦传媒淭here乌鸦传媒檚 no reason the province, or the city should turn me down, I乌鸦传媒檓 very positive at this point, because the biggest hurdles are behind me.乌鸦传媒�
乌鸦传媒淚 think cannabis stores bring in good foot traffic, and the more traffic a (West Kelowna) business community can garner, the more the community benefits. Having the business evolve into a cannabis store is ideal,乌鸦传媒� said Gayford.
The entire West Kelowna legal recreational marijuana issue will return to council at a later date, before recommendations are sent to the province.
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