The RM of Hanover will not be allowing the retail sale of cannabis in the municipality. Council was unanimous in making that decision.

Back in December, council announced it would not give a 'yes' or 'no' answer until it received more information from the province. Reeve Stan Toews says they have now received the information needed to make their decision.

Toews says government guidelines stipulate a retail cannabis store cannot be located within 300 metres of schools, playgrounds or parks. And, because they have to be placed within a commercial zone and must be stand-alone entities, this makes it very difficult to find a suitable location inside some of their small communities.

"It gets very difficult to write a bylaw into that so we told staff don't bother wasting a whole lot of time," notes Toews.

When Hanover made its announcement back in December, it noted council would be working towards a regionally consistent response with its neighbours. Toews says it wouldn't surprise him if some bordering municipalities follow their lead.

Toews says there hasn't been much correspondence from ratepayers concerning retail cannabis and there were no applications received by parties interested in opening shop.

Read More:

Cannabis Response, Hanover Opts For Neither Option