Canadian College Campus Is First to Get Weed Dispensary
The University of British Columbia in Canada is in line to be the first university in the nation to house a marijuana dispensary with the recent authorization of a Burb retail shop to launch on the campus. For Burb Cannabis Corporation, this location will be their eighth authorized marijuana retail store in British Columbia. Thus, bringing the corporation to the regulatory boundary on the number of recreational dispensaries that one authorized body can operate in the province.
Burb is a global cannabis brand that claims to be on a mission to spread the "BC Bud" culture of British Columbia around the world by way of a chain of retail stores, cannabis-related goods, clothing, and accessories. Additionally, the business owns and runs the Light Culture podcast, which is presented by Paper Magazine's co-founder and former editor-in-chief, David Hershkovits.
Burb's cannabis dispensary, intended for the University of British Columbia, got authorized by the Board of Directors of the Metro Vancouver Regional District (MVRD), the local governing body for the area surrounding the campus, as the dispensary is actually situated just off the campus. The authorization came regardless of the voiced opposition from local community members, along with an online petition that got close to 1900 signatures.
Co-founder and CEO at Burb, John Kaye, in a statement from the corporation, said that this occurrence was a great victory for them following a controversial debate around how it fits into the community and public safety. Notwithstanding the concerns which are founded on the archaic stigma on cannabis from residents who live nearby, a number of whom were residential owners that are off-shore, an informed decision that aligned with the staggering voice of the student body, was made by the board.
He added that they are excited to take Burb to campus and provide safe access to residents and students this fall.
NEIGHBOURING RESIDENTS OPPOSE CAMPUS CANNABIS DISPENSARY PLAN
The dispensary's proposed location was opposed by locals who claimed that it would be too close to two elementary schools and a nearby high school. They also launched a campaign to prevent the authorization of the shop. According to a CBC News article, a nearby resident named Connie Chen launched an online petition that said the store would draw visitors for reasons that have nothing to do with the university.
The petition stated that in permitting cannabis retail to come into the business plaza, they are creating a high risk of exposing children to substances they are not old enough for.
The suggested cannabis dispensary had the support of the Alma Mater Society (AMS) of the university, the organization that represents over 56,000 students on campus. Another online petition competing with the first is in support of the dispensary, which was put online by Sean Safaei, who is associated with Burb and has received over 2,000 signatures.
Eshana Bhangu, the president of AMS, said about the approval of the application that since the project had the support of the Alma Mater Society right from the onset, it is good news for the students.
She added that they think the student body of the University of British California really deserves a safe area close by where they can buy marijuana in a stress-free environment and is accessible.
Bhangu pointed out that the absence of a dispensary nearby would mean the university students would need to walk or board a bus to the closest cannabis retailer, which is slightly more than 1.5 miles ( more than 2.5 kilometers). The only other choice will be to purchase cannabis from illegal dealers.
These types of locations really do help in reducing illicit activities, and we do not think that this will pose any threat to families and underage children, added Bhangu.
According to Burb, the new store will be the first not only to be situated on a college campus in Canada but also in the entire world. Burb is seeking to expand outside British Columbia now that it has reached the highest number of outlets permitted there. Beaver Tail, Butter Tarts, and Zyrup, three cannabis strains from British Columbia, made their California debut thanks to a recent expansion into the country.
We are west coast pioneers, and we infuse all of our brand expansions with the illustrious past of BC Bud, added Kaye. British Columbia has become known worldwide for producing superior, winning craft cannabis strains through breeding and cultivation. We're proud to use rigorous selection and our original innovation to bring this tradition, expertise, and enthusiasm to California.
BURB IS EXPANDING INTO THE MARKETS IN THE U.S.
Burb is growing in American markets.
The business revealed its expansion into the fiercely competitive adult-use cannabis wholesale market in California in May. Burb's products are now available on the shelves of dispensaries at stores like Dr. Greenthumb, Cookies, Mainstage, and The Pottery. The business also intends to enter Florida's burgeoning medical marijuana market.
Kaye said they are delighted to be partnering with TRP, which is the Cookies Retail group wholesale division, to bring their Los Angeles cultivated premium flower products to California and also looking forward to launching in Florida state exclusively through Cookies retail stores this fall.
TRP licenses the Burb brand for both Florida and California. It collaborates with Jason McKnight's Los Angeles-based production partner, Green Label, to supply the brand with high-quality indoor flowers.
"We're coming with the flavors we love and are familiar with to the California market," said Kaye. "We're inventing with Jason, working with wonderful genetics providers, and doing our best to do that."
BOTTOM LINE
It would seem as though the Burb cannabis organization is planning some kind of total world cannabis market domination, with their branches now expanding into the United States markets after taking over the British Columbia province in Canada.
Their recent approval to put a cannabis dispensary at the University of British Columbia was a huge one in their goal of world domination. Still, it raised eyebrows and more in the community nearby the University, as about 1,900 residents signed a petition in disapproval, rating concerns about unnecessary visitors and how it might influence young children.