PoCo supports ‘incredibly benign’ cannabis store on Coast Meridian

Meet the new Boss Cannabis, same as the old Boss Cannabis.

Port Coquitlam unanimously supported an application to open a cannabis shop at the Northside strip mall at 3377 Coast Meridian Road. This would mark the city’s second Boss Cannabis, the first of which opened on Kingsway Avenue in 2023.

It’s no different than adding a bakery or a hardware store to the city, said Mayor Brad West during Tuesday’s meeting.

“I just don’t think it’s a very big deal,” he said, calling cannabis shops: “incredibly benign.”

As the crow flies, the store is about 150 metres from Minnekhada Middle School. However, the crow’s flight path is not the most relevant unit of measurement, West said.

“Unless people are flying there, which I don’t think they are . . . it’s 325 metres,” he said.

There are several childcare facilities near the site, the city staff report noted.

The only misgiving was voiced by Coun. Steve Darling, who said he was on the fence about the application.

However, Darling said he was ultimately persuaded by the people involved.

“I can’t think of a better operator,” he said.

Once it’s up and running, the shop should benefit local charities and community groups through the Cat and Fiddle Care Society, according to the application.

Concentrating stores in a busy location makes sense, said Coun. Darrell Penner, adding that many residents won’t have as far to drive to get to the shop.

Coun. Paige Petriw concurred.

“The whole stigma around cannabis is going to fade over time, and I’m hoping it does sooner than later,” she said.

The shop is set to operate from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. and to have 15 employees.

The store is set to be protected through silent alarms and a roll-down security gate.

Council still needs to vote on a zoning bylaw amendment at a future council meeting before the shop can open its doors.

The city has not received any complaints about Port Coquitlam’s other five cannabis outlets, according to a city staff report.