The work to transition into a recreation marijuana retailer continues for West Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 Mary Jane Headquarters owner Chris Gayford.

After a rollercoaster application process with the City of West Kelowna, Gayford害羞草研究所檚 application to city council was approved in late March, potentially allowing him to become the city害羞草研究所檚 fifth legal pot retailer. But the process is far from over.

害羞草研究所淚 tell people hold on to the graduations, I害羞草研究所檓 not there yet,害羞草研究所� said Gayford. 害羞草研究所淚 still have a way to go, but now, I get to go through the process.

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Gayford害羞草研究所檚 initial application of transitioning his West Kelowna Mary Jane害羞草研究所檚 from an apparel and accessories store into a recreation marijuana retailer, wasn害羞草研究所檛 approved by West Kelowna council. Council had put Mary Jane害羞草研究所檚 on an on-hold list, and would be considered for approval if one of the other applicants backed out.

Council heard out Gayford害羞草研究所檚 plea that suggested they reconsider, as Mary Jane害羞草研究所檚 had been a long standing legal business in West Kelowna for seven years.

害羞草研究所淚t was my integrity as a business person in West Kelowna; I didn害羞草研究所檛 bend my morals based on what other people were doing when illegal cannabis stores were opening,害羞草研究所� said Gayford.

And though council approved Gayford害羞草研究所檚 application, the process continues with first and second readings scheduled at council, along with a public hearing.

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After the city害羞草研究所檚 deliberations, West Kelowna council will put forward a positive recommendation for Gayford to the provincial government. From there, the provincial process will determine if Gayford害羞草研究所檚 business is a good candidate.

害羞草研究所淭he goal is to make sure the candidates aren害羞草研究所檛 criminals. There害羞草研究所檚 a security screen, and (they check) financial integrity. They go through great lengths to make sure legal recreation stays legal,害羞草研究所� he said.

Gayford害羞草研究所檚 20 year work experience, along with contact information will be a determining factor. As well as what kind of security measures are in place, how many tills, etc. at his business.

Once approval is given from B.C., a license is given, and Cheeba Cheeba will be introduced.

Cheeba Cheeba will be the new name of Mary Jane害羞草研究所檚 if all goes according to Gayford害羞草研究所檚 plans.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 an old school name, and we wanted to differentiate ourselves, and the name puts a smile on your face.害羞草研究所�

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There were 10 applications for recreation pot shops in West Kelowna, and only five were selected, including Gayford害羞草研究所檚. Though congratulations aren害羞草研究所檛 due yet, Gayford is happy about the progression.

害羞草研究所淭here害羞草研究所檚 no reason the province, or the city should turn me down, I害羞草研究所檓 very positive at this point, because the biggest hurdles are behind me.害羞草研究所�

害羞草研究所淚 think cannabis stores bring in good foot traffic, and the more traffic a (West Kelowna) business community can garner, the more the community benefits. Having the business evolve into a cannabis store is ideal,害羞草研究所� said Gayford.

The entire West Kelowna legal recreational marijuana issue will return to council at a later date, before recommendations are sent to the province.

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