COPILOT Prince George Airport (Canada) cannabis retail store OPEN

 

Prince George city council gave preliminary approval for the world’s first airport cannabis retailer, despite opposition from Canada’s two largest airlines.

City council voted in favour of granting third reading to a bylaw to allow Copilot Cannabis to develop a cannabis retail store at the Prince George Airport, following a public hearing on Monday. Final approval of the rezoning will be withheld until the B.C. Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch grants approval for the cannabis license.

“This is a first, we’re setting an example right now,” Coun. Terri McConnachie said. “We have the opportunity to be the wind beneath these wings, or to say no. I am disappointed with the lack of engagement… (but) I am going to support this application.” 

 

Coun. Cori Ramsay said the city’s role is to determine if a cannabis store is an appropriate land use at an airport. Cannabis licensing and rules around cannabis consumption and air travel are provincial and federal responsibilities.

Like many of her council colleagues, Ramsay said the fact that other Canadian airports already have cannabis consumptions areas, liquor stores and bars was a big factor in her decision to support the application. The support of the Prince George Airport Association for the application was also important, she said.

“To me, the precedent has already been set that this is an acceptable land use for an airport,” Ramsay said. “I know it’s strange going first. (But) looking 10-15 years down the line, I can see cannabis stores available in most airports in Canada.”

During a presentation to council, Copilot founders Reed Horton and Owen Ritz said that staff at the store would check boarding passes and only sell cannabis to people travelling domestically. In Canada, airline passengers can travel with up to 30 grams of cannabis or the equivalent.

In addition, the store would not sell cannabis to airport or airline staff, they said.

“One in four Canadians have already travelled with cannabis,” Ritz said.

Prince George Airport Authority CEO Gordon Duke said he acknowledged the concerns raised by the RCMP and other groups, and said safety is the airport’s top priority.

The airport intends to created a designated cannabis consumption area outside, away from the airport’s designated smoking area, he added. Smoking and consumption of cannabis inside will remain prohibited.

“The opening of this business will create some jobs and will provide a service to the rural area (around the airport),” Duke said. 

 

Our Vision 

Copilot aims to provide a safe, simple, and sophisticated cannabis retail experience to travelers across Canada. While 1 in 4 Canadians have already traveled with cannabis, there are no existing cannabis stores in airports. To meet this need, Copilot will provide a curated, accessible, and convenient cannabis purchasing experience to all travels. Buying cannabis should feel as familiar as buying a cup of coffee and we aim to offer customers a retail experience that fulfills our mission of making travel (and purchasing cannabis) a less stressful and more enjoyable experience.