(File photo/northeastNOW)

By Cam Lee

Cannabis decision

Administration recommends against limiting the number of pot shops in Melfort

Dec 20, 2024 | 6:00 AM

The City of Melfort is considering a request to limit the number of cannabis retail stores in the city.

In October, Into the Weeds Cannabis and Saskabuds Cannabis requested that Council consider limiting the number of cannabis retail stores in Melfort to two. The two pot shops argued that based on Melfort’s population and consumer purchasing, a third cannabis store would put negative pressure on the existing businesses.

Both businesses presented the City with examples of other cannabis retailers that were struggling due, in part, to oversaturation of the market.

The topic has been discussed at Governance and Priorities Committee meetings, and the City’s administration has weighed in.

“Administration is reluctant to recommend restricting the number of Cannabis Retail Stores to two within the City of Melfort,” the recommendation report at the Dec. 19 Governance and Priorities Committee meeting stated. The report added that the administration wants to support all businesses in the city if they meet all requirements of the Zoning bylaw.

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The report stated, “restricting the number of retail outlets of a specific business in order to protect existing businesses can be perceived as being anti-competitive and creating a monopolistic situation.” The report added that the administration doesn’t support restricting other commercial enterprises in the city, and they recommended that Council not consider the request to limit the number of cannabis retail stores to two in Melfort.

Director of Community Services Rob Lok said Council will make the decision on whether to limit the number of cannabis stores in the city at their next council meeting Jan. 13.

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Cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @northeastNOW_SK