Penny’s Hair Design is located along La Ronge Ave. (Image Credit: Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

consultation process

Public input mostly opposed to third cannabis retailer

Sep 11, 2026 | 2:30 PM

Feedback provided to the town in a public consultation process for a third cannabis store has been largely negative.

Administration launched the consultation process last month after the CEO of Into The Weeds Cannabis made a request to council to open a location in La Ronge for the second time. In all, administration received correspondence from eight residents of which seven were opposed to the idea.

“I do feel bad for Penny of Penny’s Hair Design as she has given many years, in fact decades, of great service to residents of La Ronge through her business, and now she is ready to sell and have more flexibility of time. However, I totally disagree with her arguments regarding the benefits of selling the space to another cannabis store,” Trud Connor wrote.

“In my opinion, there is absolutely no benefit to having another cannabis store in this community. There are enough cannabis stores already. More competition and thus possible price drop is not an advantage overall. It is not what this community needs.”

Laura Hegland was another resident who wrote to council. She explained she’s particularly concerned about how another cannabis retailer could affect families, residents, local businesses, and the overall feeling of safety in the neighborhood.

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“My primary concern is the safety and well-being of our neighborhood and community,” Hegland noted.

“La Ronge is already dealing with significant concerns surrounding crime, theft, vandalism, disturbances, and other safety issues. There are already two other cannabis/drug shops operating on main street, and I question the need for another establishment of this type in the same area. Adding another cannabis retailer does not appear to address a community need.”

Nadine Stratton was the only person to speak favourably about a new store and asked council to approve the development permit for it to proceed.

“Whether there is two cannabis shops or three in town – it is not going to matter. If folks want to use they will use by either buying from one of these stores or on the street. You’re not going to stop that,” she remarked.

“The town will have continued tax revenue from the new owner [and] it will also create jobs and have competitive pricing with the other two stores in town. It is better to have businesses operating than an empty building that will deteriorate over time.”

La Ronge council has rejected issuing a development permit for a new cannabis store once before and they will likely make a decision on issuing one for a second time at the regular town council meeting on Sept. 14.

Read all of the correspondence submitted to council online here.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

by Derek Cornet

Public input mostly opposed to third cannabis retailer

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