An appeal for the conditional approval of development permit file for a change/intensification of use for a cannabis store at 309 1st Street SW took place Tuesday, August 14th, at Town of High River Council Chambers.

The owners of the neighboring Pizza Hut have appealed to the change of use of Quadz Cannabis, which initially applied as a counseling site but is now changing to be a retail cannabis store.

Co-owner of the High River Pizza Hut, Karla Fitzgerald, says "we're not against the use of Cannabis stores. We just don't think they need to be where all of our town events occur."

Fitzgerald says, "there's so many unknowns that occur late at night and we're concerned that this store might escalate some of that activity. We're also concerned about the exposure, since we're a family-style business."

Another concern brought up at the appeal hearing was the early childhood learning centre that's located just over 100 metres away. According to Fitzgerald, "if towns had to abide by AGLC by-laws, they would have to be more than 150 metres away from that centre. Liquor stores have to follow those rules and we don't see why Cannabis stores shouldn't either."

The High River Subdivision and Development Appeal Board will make a decision within 15 days.