Unity Cannabis eyes expansion to Merritt

MERRITT — A Williams Lake cannabis company is eyeing expansion to other locations. Unity Cannabis is owned by the Williams Lake First Nation, through the first government-to-government agreement between the Province of British Columbia and a First Nation under section 119 of the BC Cannabis Control and Licensing Act.

Unity currently operates a single store in Williams Lake and is in the process of building a craft cannabis cultivation site. Through their agreement with BC, Unity can operate up to seven more stores and Merritt is atop their list for expansion.

“Our provincial license application is in. The City of Merritt should soon be receiving our referral. We’re confident our provincial licence will be issued within 90-days and we would like to get going on renovations,” said Williams Lake Chief Willie Sellars.

“There isn’t a tonne of it (cannabis use) in Merritt, it’s a small market similar to Williams Lake, something we feel comfortable with,” added Sellars

Unity is looking at a retail space in the Adelphi Hotel.

“If we’re successful in advancing the retail cannabis outlet, there is some interest in developing the bar, restaurant space in the hotel,” said Sellars.

Unity Cannabis still needs to proceed through the legislative hurdles with City Council including a public hearing.

Currently, there are two retail cannabis stores open within the City of Merritt.