Features

Cannabis consumption space launch party at Cannabis Cottage

Published on March 8, 2024 by David Wylie

Photo: Contributed

A South Okanagan cannabis retailer is taking advantage of new direction from the province of BC on cannabis consumption spaces.

Cannabis Cottage in Penticton announced what it says will be the first licensed consumption space in the area after the province changed the rules around promoting places to get together to get high in public.

“It’s something that the industry absolutely needs to be able to grow and to move into that next stage so we don’t get left behind,” says Mariana Wolff, who owns Cannabis Cottage.

“In BC we rely a lot on tourism so I’m surprised at how much the government has dragged its heels to enable cannabis to enter the tourism sector. This helps us move forward with that tourism sector that’s the only way we can move the industry towards maturity.”

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On April 20 (4/20), Cannabis Cottage will launch its cannabis consumption patio, located in their redesigned courtyard. It will have more seating, a stage area, and a spot to dispose of roaches as well as recycle cannabis packaging. The cannabis store has already hosted events that include consumption.

The launch event goes from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., and there will be a munchies station, brand reps, swag giveaways, and live music.

Wolff says her patio abides by the letter of the new bulletin, but she adds it seems like the government is trying to discourage cannabis stores from being a setting for events.

“It doesn’t make sense to me,” she says. “I’m not sure why the government wants to have that separation in place. The location where people bare most familiar and comfortable with these products is better.”

Cannabis stores already have bylaws in place to keep them certain distances from schools and child care centres, she says.