St. Andrews Council Turns Down Proposal For Mobile Cannabis Truck

At the second council meeting for the month of June in St. Andrews, council discussed the proposal for a mobile cannabis store. Council emphasized the importance of getting the bylaw right and expressed concerns about the mobile store proposal.

"Cannabis New Brunswick, back in the fall of 2022, put out RFPs for 10 individual private operators of cannabis businesses in the province," explained Town Clerk Paul Nopper. "St. Andrews was selected as one of the communities to potentially have an option for a business here."

Nopper went on to explain that an Ontario-based businessman was awarded the opportunity to pursue opening a private cannabis business in St. Andrews, however, he has struggled to find a storefront location in the community to operate his Cannabis Express store. 

"As part of that, Cannabis New Brunswick is putting forward an option for council's consideration. As you can see in your package, this is a concept of basically a vendor truck to be parked at the liquor store here in St Andrews as an option," explained Nopper. "So there would need to be basically a temporary operation licence allowance for it, as well as a peddler's permit would need to be issued under this. The Clerk's office can issue peddler's permits within this. But this is quite a discussion for council and should get council direction prior to any permits being issued. We do have a representative here from Cannabis New Brunswick, if you wish to have any questions or comments brought forward."

Mayor Brad Henderson responded by saying he wanted to make it clear that cannabis is as legal as alcohol and he has no issue with a cannabis store in the community, but it is the mobile aspect of the proposal that is problematic. 
"Sometimes finding storefront in downtown St Andrews can be very difficult. It is for multiple people. But I will say that this town has had a long history of not allowing even a taco truck in downtown St. Andrews," said Henderson. "And Cannabis NB to me is like Alcohol NB, it is legal. But I don't actually have a vision for this community of having Alcohol NB having a travelling mobile unit in our downtown either."

Councillor Gumushel seconded Mayor Henderson's thoughts. 

"As much as I think a weed truck might be welcomed by some, I'm not sure that it's a great fit for St. Andrews," said Gumushel.

Councillor Lee Heenan also agreed.

"It's not the product, it's the idea of the truck," said Heenan. "It just kind of strikes me as bootlegging and so I would agree with the mayor that I just don't see it happening and especially when we have the cannabis store in St. Stephen, which is really not a long hike if someone really wants it. And I just see a big CBC headline: 'St. Andrews is the first town to have mobile cannabis truck'. I don't know if that's the publicity that we'd like to see."

Council ultimately decided going forward with a mobile cannabis truck is not the right fit for St. Andrews.