The work to transition into a recreation marijuana retailer continues for West Kelownasa国际传媒檚 Mary Jane Headquarters owner Chris Gayford.

After a rollercoaster application process with the City of West Kelowna, Gayfordsa国际传媒檚 application to city council was approved in late March, potentially allowing him to become the citysa国际传媒檚 fifth legal pot retailer. But the process is far from over.

sa国际传媒淚 tell people hold on to the graduations, Isa国际传媒檓 not there yet,sa国际传媒� said Gayford. sa国际传媒淚 still have a way to go, but now, I get to go through the process.

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Gayfordsa国际传媒檚 initial application of transitioning his West Kelowna Mary Janesa国际传媒檚 from an apparel and accessories store into a recreation marijuana retailer, wasnsa国际传媒檛 approved by West Kelowna council. Council had put Mary Janesa国际传媒檚 on an on-hold list, and would be considered for approval if one of the other applicants backed out.

Council heard out Gayfordsa国际传媒檚 plea that suggested they reconsider, as Mary Janesa国际传媒檚 had been a long standing legal business in West Kelowna for seven years.

sa国际传媒淚t was my integrity as a business person in West Kelowna; I didnsa国际传媒檛 bend my morals based on what other people were doing when illegal cannabis stores were opening,sa国际传媒� said Gayford.

And though council approved Gayfordsa国际传媒檚 application, the process continues with first and second readings scheduled at council, along with a public hearing.

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After the citysa国际传媒檚 deliberations, West Kelowna council will put forward a positive recommendation for Gayford to the provincial government. From there, the provincial process will determine if Gayfordsa国际传媒檚 business is a good candidate.

sa国际传媒淭he goal is to make sure the candidates arensa国际传媒檛 criminals. Theresa国际传媒檚 a security screen, and (they check) financial integrity. They go through great lengths to make sure legal recreation stays legal,sa国际传媒� he said.

Gayfordsa国际传媒檚 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 Janesa国际传媒檚 if all goes according to Gayfordsa国际传媒檚 plans.

sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 an old school name, and we wanted to differentiate ourselves, and the name puts a smile on your face.sa国际传媒�

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There were 10 applications for recreation pot shops in West Kelowna, and only five were selected, including Gayfordsa国际传媒檚. Though congratulations arensa国际传媒檛 due yet, Gayford is happy about the progression.

sa国际传媒淭heresa国际传媒檚 no reason the province, or the city should turn me down, Isa国际传媒檓 very positive at this point, because the biggest hurdles are behind me.sa国际传媒�

sa国际传媒淚 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,sa国际传媒� 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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