JARVIE – Charles Desranleau, owner of the Jarvie General Store, hosted a public hearing on April 10 to gather input from the community on his plan to set up a cannabis business at his location.
There were 24 people who attended along with two Westlock County representatives.
“Part of the process to get a development permit is to hold a public hearing,” said Desranleau.
“This is the first step, it's all in stages.”
The people who attended fell on both sides of the question to operate a cannabis business in the town of Jarvie.
A question was raised as to what prompted the interest to open a cannabis business in Jarvie.
The cannabis business would be added revenue for Desranleau and residents were supportive of another revenue stream for the store.
The post office was supposed to be added revenue for Desranleau but it was moved to the community centre.
The point was made that there are six cannabis locations in the area.
Desranleau investigated by GPS and was told that Jarvie was a prime stop because of the travel time required to get to those other locations.
The first question was about security and would the business attract the wrong kind of people to the community.
Desranleau said that security is outlined in the specs of the plan with cameras and chain-link fence.
There was concern from a few of the attendees about who would be attracted to Jarvie with a cannabis store in town and would crime go up.
One of the residents made the point that there are already drug dealers in town attracting people to the community for drug sales.
Another person was hopeful that a cannabis business might drive the drug dealers out of town.
Discussion was raised about the impacts to children and youth with the proximity of a cannabis business. Desranleau said that the sales are made to individuals 18 years or older and that marijuana would not be sold to minors.
Concern over the access of drugs to children occurred with several points on both sides.
One of the residents raised the point that drugs in the home is the way children and youth may have access.
The comparison between alcohol and cannabis, both legal, was raised.
The cannabis store would also carry medical grade CBD oil which was felt to be a benefit. Seniors in the area may consider cannabis as a medical solution and proximity could make a big difference to access for those seniors as per another attendee.
Residents in support of the cannabis business raised points of convenience, and an example of how another town saw crime drop after a cannabis store opened.
There will be no access in the store, a separate entrance will be available, and the store hours will remain the same.
