Council approves public consultation for potential cannabis store

Unity Cannabis is owned by the Williams Lake First Nation, through the first government-to-government agreement between the Province of British Columbia and a First Nation under section 119 of the BC Cannabis Control and Licensing Act.

Unity currently operates a single store in Williams Lake and is in the process of building a craft cannabis cultivation site. Through their agreement with BC, Unity can operate up to seven more stores and Merritt is atop their list for expansion.

On Tuesday (May 25), Merritt City Council voted 6-1 to begin a round of public consultation on a potential Unity Cannabis store located in the Adelphi. Councillor Melvina White was the lone vote against the motion, she did not speak to her reasoning.

“Our provincial license application is in. The City of Merritt should soon be receiving our referral. We’re confident our provincial licence will be issued within 90-days and we would like to get going on renovations,” said Williams Lake Chief Willie Sellars.

“There isn’t a tonne of cannabis stores in Merritt, it’s a small market similar to Williams Lake, something we feel comfortable with,” added Sellars.

If the cannabis store goes well, Unity is also looking at developing the bar space in the hotel.

“If we’re successful in advancing the retail cannabis outlet, there is some interest in developing the bar, restaurant space in the hotel,” said Sellars.

Currently, there are two retail cannabis stores open within the City of Merritt.