Mixed Feedback on Proposed Cannabis Shop

The potential of a cannabis shop being located in the heart of Swift Current's downtown core has drawn some mixed reactions from nearby business owners.

Yesterday afternoon at city council a public hearing was held regarding the proposed development and only one person stepped up to the microphone - and it was the owner of the proposed cannabis shop.

Celeste Gerber was the speaker and she shared her story about her introduction to cannabis in 2016 when as she was going through chemotherapy as a result of having cancer.

"They give you drugs for the pain and for the nausea, but they really made me completely loopy, I just couldn't function," she explained. "So I said I'm going to try this and see how it helps. Honestly, it was like the sky opened up and rained happiness down on me because all of a sudden I could think clearly, the nausea had gone, I didn't have any pain and I was like this is wonderful stuff, so I became an instant convert."

After Gerber shared her own story, she went onto talk about the plans they have for the cannabis establishment at 106 Central Avenue North if they're approved for the development permit.

"Our shop will provide a place where consumers can buy safe and unaltered products at fair prices," she said. "It's going high-end shop with lots of modern finishes and good lighting. It is not going to be what you would think a stereotypical head shop would be."

Once up and running it could employ 4-6 full-time workers and have similar hours to liquor stores.

Nobody else spoke at the public hearing but the Sputtergotch Toy Company and Remple Janitorial Ltd submitted letters to the City expressing their concern about the potential store.

"I do question how this fits with the overall Downtown Development Plan and the objectives this plan has made," Garry Koebel the owner of the Sputtergotch Toy Company said in his letter. "Will this shop enhance the "feel" the City wants for the Heritage District? Is this a business model that will tie in well with other established shops, such as children's store, highend boutiques, and professional offices? Is this the message Downtown Swift Current wishes to project?"

A decision on the proposal will be made by city council at their next meeting on October 9.