Jasper Municipal Council was weeding through proposed cannabis legislation February 27 and at least one potential retailer in Jasper was keen to learn how local regulations would roll out.

Leanne Stanko has been formulating a business plan for cannabis retail in Jasper ever since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government announced their intent to legalize the substance.

“I always said ‘if the right opportunity comes along I definitely want to go down that road,’” said Stanko.

Now, with more details on how federal legislation and a provincial framework will guide Alberta retailers, Stanko’s fire is lit. She will be among the first in line to apply for a license to sell cannabis in Jasper when the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission starts accepting applications March 6.

But Stanko isn’t opening a head shop. Rather, the THC University-certified budtender (yes, that’s a thing) wants to create a retail experience that her fellow residents can be proud of. She has gutted the former Gravity Gear building at 618B Patricia St. and is hoping that the new outlet will spark a fresh conversation around cannabis.

“I want to make sure all types of people are going to feel welcome and comfortable, because I see a diverse group of people who could benefit from a store like this.”

Before the self-proclaimed “ganja-preneur” can open her doors to the cannabis-curious public, however, federal legislation has to come down the pipe. During municipal council’s Feb 27 committee of the whole meeting, RCMP Sgt. Rick Bidaisee presented on how the new rules will affect the way he and his members perform their police work. 

“Although the key word is legalize, there are still stringent parameters that people looking to utilize or distribute will have to abide by,” Bidaisee said.

Those parameters centre around restricting cannabis access to young people, protecting public health and cracking down on impaired driving, he said.

In Jasper, overlapping federal and municipal land use regulations will create a unique joint jurisdiction when it comes to the sale of cannabis. Although the provincial framework is recommending a minimum 100 metre buffer zone between retail outlets and schools and health care facilities, for example, council learned that specific zoning issues will likely be up to local authorities to approve.

At council’s urging, MOJ CAO Mark Fercho said staff would put together a list of locations in Jasper where municipal authority might take precedent, including a map where cannabis use will and will not be permitted.

Furthermore, council heard that staff is looking to update its current bylaw governing tobacco smoking, “given the confusion around provincial smoking [laws], local bylaws and also the ambiguity around cannabis consumption,” Fercho said.

That ambiguity is certainly part of what’s holding Stanko back from launching her new company just yet. Before she starts marketing her brand, buying inventory of paraphernalia which could be linked to the still-illegal substance or hiring fellow budtenders, she wants to see exactly how the rules shake out.

That’s key, she said, to moving the conversation forward.

“We’re passionate and fully invested, but we’re willing to adapt to whatever rules come our way.”

Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com