To operate a cannabis retail store in Whistler, you need to meet several municipal and provincial requirements, including:
- Operating in one of the five Temporary Use Permit areas<anchor> in Whistler
- Holding a Temporary Use Permit from the RMOW, which requires support from the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB)
- Having a cannabis retail store licence from the provincial LCRB, which we must support
- Having a Whistler business licence
The municipal approval process takes place at the same time as the provincial licensing process. This is similar to the approval process for liquor stores and pubs.
You may also require the following type(s) of permit(s):
Temporary use permits
In Whistler, the retail sale of cannabis is only allowed in one store in each of the following five Temporary Use Permit areas:
- Whistler Village
- Whistler Village North
- Creekside
- Function Junction
- Nesters Plaza
A cannabis business can only operate with a Temporary Use Permit under the following conditions:
- Compliance with the BC Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch’s retail store licence conditions
- A minimum of 300 metres of any school or Meadow Park Sports Centre
- A location outside of the Village Stroll
A Temporary Use Permit allows a cannabis retail store to operate for up to three years with one possible renewal of three years.
If the business does not meet the terms and conditions of the Temporary Use Permit or business licence, or if a business is not complying with municipal bylaws, it can be revoked.
Current temporary use permits
Whistler has approved Temporary Use Permits at the following locations:
- Whistler Village: This is Cannabis at #201 A&B, 4293 Mountain Square
- Village North: Main Street THC Canada Ltd at #115, 4368 Main Street
- Creekside: Spiritleaf Whistler at #103, 2011 Innsbruck Drive
- Function Junction: A Little Bud at #1, 1050 Millar Creek Road
- Nesters Plaza: The Nest at #103, 7015 Nesters Road
Application process
Whistler has approved our maximum number of Temporary Use Permits for cannabis retail locations in Whistler. We are not considering any additional applications at this time.
The following is the process to apply for a Temporary Use Permit for cannabis retail:
- Check for Temporary Use Permit areas on the map to ensure your proposed business location is in one of the five Temporary Use Permit areas in Whistler.
To do this:
- Click on any parcel in the TUP areas to get a property’s addressing and the zoning information.
- Use the “Search” box to locate properties in the TUP areas by address.
- Use the “Bookmark” tool to center the map on any of the specific TUP areas or to take the map view back to the start view.
- Apply for a cannabis retail store licence from the provincial Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch.
- Apply for a Temporary Use Permit by completing the submission requirements listed in Schedule 2 of Whistler’s cannabis retail policy (PDF). Note: The RMOW will not accept incomplete applications. An applicant may only apply for one cannabis retail store in Whistler.
- After Council has approved the Temporary Use Permit, apply for a Whistler business licence.
- You may need to apply for a Development Permit, Building Permit, or Sign Permit.
How applications are reviewed
The RMOW assesses applications according to the guiding principles, location guidelines, and evaluation criteria included in Whistler’s cannabis retail policy (PDF).
Fees
Cannabis retail stores need to pay the following application fees:
- Temporary Use Permit application fee – $4,700
- Cannabis Retail Store Licence referral fee – $2,000
If your Temporary Use Permit for a cannabis retail establishment is approved, a business licence application is required with an annual licensing fee of $190.
Contact
Planning Department
planning@whistler.ca
604-935-8170