Victoria Council has given unanimous thumbs up to a new bylaw that puts the licensing process in place for private cannabis dispensaries.
Passage of the bylaw means council can start processing license applications from private stores that have been referred from the province.
After receiving a licence application the city will notify the affected neighbourhood association, and will provide written notice of the application to property owners within 100 metres of the proposed shop.
After receiving community feedback, the city will share the information with the applicant before sending the application back to the province for final approval -- or a recommendation for rejection.
The bylaw also sets a $750 application fee to cover the licensing and public engagement process.