REVIEW OF BUSINESS LICENSE FEES FOR CANNABIS RETAIL STORES
A report from the Senior Planner reconsidering annual business license fees for cannabis retailers to align them with regional standards.
TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT AND ENGAGEMENT REPORT
TO: Committee of the Whole DATE: Sept. 6, 2023 FROM: J. Chow, RPP, MCIP, Senior Planner MEETING DATE: Sept. 12, 2023
REVIEW OF BUSINESS LICENSE FEES FOR CANNABIS RETAIL STORES
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT the report titled “Review of Business License Fees for Cannabis retail Stores” from the Senior Planner dated September 6, 2023 be received for information.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this report is to reconsider the annual business license fee for cannabis retail stores.
TIME CRITICAL:
If an amendment to the business license fee for cannabis retail stores is supported, Fees and Charges Bylaw, No. 958, 2016 should be amended by the end of November in time for the 2024 business license renewals to be sent out in December.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The annual business license fee of $7500 set in 2020 for cannabis retail stores now exceeds the next highest fee in the Capital Region by more than $5500. Early concerns about the need to fund additional education and enforcement have not manifested over the past three years. The Westshore RCMP has found that cannabis retail stores in general have been well managed in the West Shore with no major issues.
Staff recommends changing the business license fee for cannabis retail stores to $2000. While it would leave View Royal with the highest fee in the region (but now tied with Township of Esquimalt), this would match the Town’s fee for drug paraphernalia businesses, as the Cannabis Control and Licensing Act permits cannabis retailers to sell cannabis accessories.
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