Article content

The sober confines of a northeast Calgary hearing room filled with lawyers and well-tailored business operators might seem an unlikely venue for a turf war over marijuana profits.

But on Thursday, that was the scene as the Calgary Subdivision and Development Appeal Board set hearing dates to decide the outcomes for would-be cannabis store owners battling for coveted curb space.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or 'Like a turf war': Hopeful merchants battle through appeals to land cannabis reward Back to video

Some of the entrepreneurs, such as Four20 Premium Market’s Jeff Mooij, are frustrated by an appeal process he said has been weaponized by competitors to torpedo approved sites, including one of his on Macleod Trail.

“The whole system is broken, it’s just a joke,” said Mooij.

“All these appellants need is to put up $100 and away they go . . . (the appeal board) is supposed to throw out illegitimate appeals (filed by people that) didn’t do a good job on their own stores.”

He said some of those launching appeals against properly prepared entrepreneurs are doing so from competing locations that don’t even have landlord approval, something the regulatory system should eliminate.