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At one point during its illustrious past, the city tried a few different strategies to shut down Holy Smoke. So it was notable when Nelson city council and the Kootenay regional district voted on Jan. 16 to support an exemption of section 37 of the B.C. Cannabis Control Regulation, which would open the door for cannabis events, farm tours and possibly lounges in the region.

The motion cites B.C. bud’s role in Canadian history and culture, saying, “…in British Columbia, and specifically in the Kootenay region, there is a historical legacy of cannabis cultivation and a clear acknowledgment that the cannabis industry is a pillar of our regional economy.”

It continues, “there is a historical legacy of cannabis cultivation and a clear acknowledgment that the cannabis industry is a pillar of our regional economy … Section 37 of the BC Cannabis Control Regulation prohibits the promotion of any place to consume or to spend time after consuming cannabis, which significantly limits the ability for the cannabis industry to thrive, and in many cases limits potential business owners to operate all together.

“Therefore be it resolved that the Union of B.C. Municipalities work with the provincial government to remove section 37 from the B.C. Cannabis regulation, which will remove a significant barrier to the success of the cannabis industry in British Columbia.”

The motion will go to the Association of Kootenay and Boundary Local Governments (AKBLG), which, if passed, will go to the Union of B.C. Municipalities.