The work to transition into a recreation marijuana retailer continues for West 琉璃神社鈥檚 Mary Jane Headquarters owner Chris Gayford.

After a rollercoaster application process with the City of West 琉璃神社, Gayford鈥檚 application to city council was approved in late March, potentially allowing him to become the city鈥檚 fifth legal pot retailer. But the process is far from over.

鈥淚 tell people hold on to the graduations, I鈥檓 not there yet,鈥� said Gayford. 鈥淚 still have a way to go, but now, I get to go through the process.

READ MORE: West 琉璃神社 approves 5 cannabis store applications

READ MORE: Cannabis shops in 琉璃神社 inching closer to reality

Gayford鈥檚 initial application of transitioning his West 琉璃神社 Mary Jane鈥檚 from an apparel and accessories store into a recreation marijuana retailer, wasn鈥檛 approved by West 琉璃神社 council. Council had put Mary Jane鈥檚 on an on-hold list, and would be considered for approval if one of the other applicants backed out.

Council heard out Gayford鈥檚 plea that suggested they reconsider, as Mary Jane鈥檚 had been a long standing legal business in West 琉璃神社 for seven years.

鈥淚t was my integrity as a business person in West 琉璃神社; I didn鈥檛 bend my morals based on what other people were doing when illegal cannabis stores were opening,鈥� said Gayford.

And though council approved Gayford鈥檚 application, the process continues with first and second readings scheduled at council, along with a public hearing.

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After the city鈥檚 deliberations, West 琉璃神社 council will put forward a positive recommendation for Gayford to the provincial government. From there, the provincial process will determine if Gayford鈥檚 business is a good candidate.

鈥淭he goal is to make sure the candidates aren鈥檛 criminals. There鈥檚 a security screen, and (they check) financial integrity. They go through great lengths to make sure legal recreation stays legal,鈥� he said.

Gayford鈥檚 20 year work experience, along with contact information will be a determining factor. As well as what kind of security measures are in place, how many tills, etc. at his business.

Once approval is given from B.C., a license is given, and Cheeba Cheeba will be introduced.

Cheeba Cheeba will be the new name of Mary Jane鈥檚 if all goes according to Gayford鈥檚 plans.

鈥淚t鈥檚 an old school name, and we wanted to differentiate ourselves, and the name puts a smile on your face.鈥�

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There were 10 applications for recreation pot shops in West 琉璃神社, and only five were selected, including Gayford鈥檚. Though congratulations aren鈥檛 due yet, Gayford is happy about the progression.

鈥淭here鈥檚 no reason the province, or the city should turn me down, I鈥檓 very positive at this point, because the biggest hurdles are behind me.鈥�

鈥淚 think cannabis stores bring in good foot traffic, and the more traffic a (West 琉璃神社) business community can garner, the more the community benefits. Having the business evolve into a cannabis store is ideal,鈥� said Gayford.

The entire West 琉璃神社 legal recreational marijuana issue will return to council at a later date, before recommendations are sent to the province.

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