I was disappointed when I heard the Nelson City Council rejected outright Brenton Raby’s proposal for a cannabis porch. Although I do not consume cannabis, many in this town do. It actually helped build this town. The site where it is proposed is where Holy Smoke once resided, one of the first dispensaries that operated before cannabis was legalized.
I believe it should only be for those 18 years and older, and on the top floor where the proposed consumption patio site is. As Gelato draws families and kids, I don’t think it’s appropriate to have that patio be a consumption site. I think the council could have thought of this change to his business plan, asked him to rethink it and propose it again. The amount of alcohol patios in this town is huge, while one business who wants cannabis consumption is shut down by neighbours and council.
These people want places to gather legally. I believe loneliness and isolation is one of the main reasons people gravitate to hard drugs.
Just because this type of business hasn’t happened in B.C., it has happened in other parts of the world and council can research that. The police can also still be a presence ensuring that other drugs aren’t exchanged on site.
The owner of this building is fairly conscientious. providing a space for the homeless during the winter months when no one else stepped up. He has invested everything into his vision and council should step up to support him.
June Hamlet, Nelson
