Dormitories, student center, library, pharmacy

Canada college campus is first to get a weed dispensary

The University of British Columbia in Canada is on the verge of becoming the first university in the country to host a marijuana dispensary with the recently approved permit of a Burb retail store to open on campus. For Burb Cannabis Corporation, this location will be their eighth authorized retail marijuana store in British Columbia. This brings the company to the regulatory limit of the number of recreational pharmacies that an authorized entity can operate in the province.

Burb is a global cannabis brand that claims to be on a mission to spread British Columbia’s “BC Bud” culture through a chain of cannabis-related retail outlets, merchandise, clothing and accessories around the world. The company also owns and operates the Light Culture podcast presented by co-founder and former Editor-in-Chief of Paper Magazine, David Hershkovits.

Burb’s cannabis dispensary, destined for the University of British Columbia, has been approved by the Board of Directors of the Metro Vancouver Regional District (MVRD), the local governing authority for the campus area, as the dispensary is actually right next to campus. The approval came amid vocal opposition from local community members, along with an online petition that garnered nearly 1,900 signatures.

Burb co-founder and CEO John Kaye said in a company statement that this event was a major victory for them after a controversial debate about how it fits into the community and public safety. Regardless of concerns stemming from the archaic stigma of local residents living nearby cannabis, some of whom were offshore homeowners, the board made an informed decision that echoed the amazing voice of the student body.

He added that they are excited to bring Burb to campus and provide safe access for residents and students this fall.

NEIGHBORING RESIDENTS STAND AGAINST CANNABIS DISPOSAL PLAN ON CAMPUS

The pharmacy’s proposed location was opposed by locals who claimed it would be too close to two elementary schools and a nearby high school. They also launched a campaign to prevent the store from being authorized. According to a CBC News article, a local resident named Connie Chen started an online petition saying the store would attract visitors for reasons unrelated to the university.

The petition states that by allowing retail cannabis into the business plaza they are creating a high risk of exposing children to substances they are not old enough for.

The proposed cannabis issue had the support of the university’s Alma Mater Society (AMS), the organization that represents over 56,000 students on campus. Another online petition, rivaling the first, supports the pharmacy posted online by Sean Safaei, who is affiliated with Burb and has received over 2,000 signatures.

Eshana Bhangu, President of the AMS, said that the project was supported from the start by the Alma Mater Society, which is good news for the students.

She added that they believe the University of British California student body truly deserves a safe area nearby where they can purchase marijuana in a stress-free environment that is accessible.

Bhangu pointed out that the lack of a pharmacy nearby would mean university students would have to walk or hop on a bus to the nearest cannabis retailer, which is just over 1.5 miles (over 2.5 kilometers) away . The only other option will be to buy cannabis from illegal dealers.

These types of places really help reduce illegal activity and we don’t think it will pose a threat to families and underage children, Bhangu added.

According to Burb, the new store will not only be the first on a college campus in Canada, but in the world. Burb is now looking to expand outside of British Columbia, where it has achieved the highest number of approved stores. Beaver Tail, Butter Tarts, and Zyrup, three cannabis strains from British Columbia, made their California debut thanks to a recent expansion into the country.

“We’re pioneers on the West Coast and infuse all of our brand extensions with BC Bud’s illustrious past,” added Kaye. British Columbia has become known worldwide for breeding and growing superior, award-winning craft cannabis strains to produce. We pride ourselves on using rigorous selection and our original innovation to bring that heritage, expertise and passion to California.

BURB EXPANDS INTO US MARKETS

Burb grows in American markets.

The company announced in May its expansion into the highly competitive adult cannabis wholesale market in California. Burb’s products are now on the shelves of pharmacies in stores like Dr. Greenthumb, Cookies, Mainstage and The Pottery available. The company also intends to enter the burgeoning medical marijuana market in Florida.

Kaye said they are excited to partner with TRP, the wholesale division of Cookies Retail Group, to bring their Los Angeles-grown premium floral products to California, and also look forward to opening exclusively through Cookies retail stores in Florida this fall to bring to market.

TRP licenses the Burb brand for both Florida and California. It is working with Jason McKnight’s Los Angeles-based manufacturing partner, Green Label, to supply the brand with quality indoor flowers.

“We’re bringing the flavors we love and are familiar with to the California market,” Kaye said. “We invent with Jason, work with wonderful genetics providers, and do our best to do that.”

FINAL EFFECT

It appears that Burb’s cannabis organization is planning some sort of total dominance of the global cannabis market, with its operations now expanding into United States markets after taking over the province of British Columbia in Canada.

Their recent approval to establish a cannabis dispensary at the University of British Columbia was a major step towards their goal of world domination. Still, eyebrows and more were raised in the community near the university when about 1,900 residents signed a disapproving petition, raising concerns about unnecessary visitors and the potential impact on young children.

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