There is no known expected date when the new business could open at this location. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

cannabis

‘Consider the image of this town’: Second pot shop given green light despite objections

Jun 15, 2022 | 5:21 PM

Despite objections from a resident doctor and two town councillors, a new cannabis store will be permitted to set up shop along La Ronge Avenue.

Council approved a discretionary use application brought forward by Paras Patel of Saskatoon. He owns outlets in Rosthern and Shellbrook and would like to open a Reds Cannabis location in the same downtown building as Marker 47 Café and a dental office.

Mayor Colin Ratushniak, deputy-mayor Joe Hordyski, Coun. Jordan McPhail and Coun. Ryan Veteri voted in favour of the application, while councillors Matt Klassen and Viviana Ruiz-Arcand opposed it. Coun. Abby Besharah was not present and did not vote.

Prior to the vote, La Ronge’s resident doctor Max Karnitsky asked council to block a second cannabis store from opening.

“This is personally something I thought quite a bit about. Having these shops on La Ronge Avenue prevents other types of businesses from operating on this prime real estate,” he said. “I do have to question the outlets and retailers. I question how they can safely operate in our community and make up for the documented harms that their products cause.”

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Although there are economic reasons, like new jobs and increased development, Karnitsky argued the money made will not stay local and the wealth generated will be spent somewhere else. He also reminded council that cannabis is addictive and the town already has too many businesses that sell controlled substances.

Karnitsky urged council to “consider the image of this town.”

“Can you think and tell me how many bars, off sales, liquor stores and cannabis shops currently have an address on La Ronge Avenue,” he asked. “I think you might need two hands for that one.”

Ratushniak and Veteri were vocal in their support for a second location and both agreed allowing Kiaro, which opened in May 2019, to monopolize the cannabis sector in La Ronge is bad for business. Ratushniak said Kiaro has only recently begun donating to community groups once another second shop expressed interest in opening.

“Do I think there needs to be competition to the only monopoly in this community? That’s where I would say yes,” he said.

Veteri also mentioned it’s important residents have access to regulated marijuana. He said other drugs can be mixed with cannabis when purchasing from drug dealers, and government-licensed stores and products eliminated that risk.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno