Marystown town council approved an application by Taylor Giovannini, co-founder and CEO of Oceanic Releaf, for a retail cannabis store.

The location at 209-213 Unit #2 Ville Marie Drive is the former home of Island Escape, also previously Brews and Views.

Giovannini addressed members of council during a regular meeting held on Tuesday, Sept. 4. Two days later, she told The Southern Gazette it was a very positive meeting.

“The purpose of me being there was to explain … how we plan to deliver the retail experience in Marystown,” said Giovannini.

She added that the retail location primary focus is on educating consumers about cannabis, cannabis use and just how to have conversations about cannabis usage.

“(Council members) want to educate the public as well … so hopefully we can come together and collaborate and do it together,” Giovannini said.

She added that going forward, she hopes to have a positive working relationship with the town.

In an interview Sept. 6, Marystown Mayor Sam Synard said members of council would like to help educate people about cannabis.

“We’re going to keep working with Ms. Giovannini,” he explained. “We would meet with her again, and if need be we’d certainly have a community session — invite people in and talk about cannabis— the safe consumption of cannabis and talk to parents about what they should look out for with cannabis.”

“It’s here to stay now,” he said of the drug, which becomes legal Oct. 17. “The days of having a moral dilemma over cannabis is over with. The federal government has decreed that cannabis is legal in Canada. Therefore, it is legal in every province and community in Canada.”