Private Retail Cannabis

Private Retail Cannabis

On April 8, 2019 the City passed amendments to its Zoning and Business License Bylaws that allow for ‘retail services, restricted’ operations (cannabis shops). These bylaws set out regulations regarding where cannabis retail stores can be established, setbacks from different land uses in the city, and hours of operations. To review these bylaw, click on the following links:

You can review the full Cannabis Control and Regulations Act.
The Government of Yukon has established the following regulations on the possession and consumption of cannabis:

  • You must be 19 years or older to purchase and possess up to 30 grams of recreational cannabis in public.
  • If you are under 19 years of age, you cannot purchase, possess, or consume cannabis.
  • If you are in a vehicle, your cannabis must be sealed and inaccessible to everyone in the vehicle.

Lincesing requirements established in the Cannabis Control and Regulation Act and Cannabis retail policies should be reviewed prior to applying for a development permit through the City of Whitehorse.

All cannabis retail stores require a territorial cannabis license to operate in Whitehorse, which is regulated and enforced by the Yukon Liquor Corporation.

In order to operate a retail cannabis business, you must have:
– A territorial Cannabis License
– A business license
For more information visit the Business License page
– A development permit
– A certificate of trade name from Yukon Government Corporate Affairs (if you are naming the business anything other than your own name)

– Approval from Yukon Workers’ Safety & Compensation Board (if you have employees or if the business is incorporated)

  • Register you business and pay a security deposit (if you are a new employer)

– Proof of general liability insurance
– Comply with Guidelines

Bylaw 2019-08 establishes that Marwell and specific zones in Downtown are the only areas where ‘retail services, restricted’ are permitted. In addition, buffers were established from the following uses:

– 100 m buffers from:

  • Lots zoned PR – Parks and Recreation that include a play structure
  • Temporary shelter services
  • Lots which provide services to youth at risk or people suffering from substance abuse
  • Other ‘retail services, restricted’ operations

– 150 m buffers from:

  • Schools

Economic Development
4061 4th Avenue
Whitehorse, YT
867-334-1083
business@whitehorse.ca

Land & Building Services
6-151 Industrial Road
Whitehorse, YT
867-668-8346
adminbuilding@whitehorse.ca

Planning Services
4061 4th Avenue
Whitehorse, YT
867-687-1871
planning@whitehorse.ca

Yukon Government Corporate Affairs
307 Black Street
Whitehorse, YT
867-667-5314
corporateaffairs@yukon.ca

Yukon Workers’ Compensation Health & Safety Board
401 Strickland Street
Whitehorse, YT
867-667-5645
worksafe@wcb.yk.ca

Yukon Liquor Corporation
9031 Quartz Road
Whitehorse, YT
867-667-5245
yukon.liquor@yukon.ca