Levi Landry
Levi is a recent graduate of the Communications, Culture, & Journalism program at Okanagan College and is now based in Kamloops. After living in the BC for over four years, he finds the blue collar and neighbourly environment in the Thompson reminds him of home in Saskatchewan. Levi, who has previously been published in Kelowna’s Daily Courier, is passionate about stories focussed on both social issues and peoples’ experiences in their local community. If you have a story or tips to share, you can reach Levi at 250 819 3723 or email LLandry@infonews.ca.
Kamloops pot shop caught selling to undercover minor
A Kamloops cannabis store was fined after selling to a minor. The 16-year-old customer happened to be undercover, which led to a $7,000 penalty for North Shore pot shop Fiore Fresco more than six months later. BC Liquor and Cannabis…
Cannabis now allowed on some outdoor patios in BC
The BC government now allows cannabis smoking or vaping on the same outdoor patios cigarette smoking is allowed. Any restaurants, bars, festivals that allow outdoor smoking can now give the OK for cannabis too, according to a provincial government bulletin…
Kelowna magic mushroom shop plans to reopen after RCMP raids
Two Kelowna RCMP raids left the doors of a magic mushroom shop shuttered, but its owners haven't given up. Earlier this month Essence Wellness, a psilocybin dispensary in downtown Kelowna, was raided by Kelowna RCMP for the second time in…
Tenant loses human rights complaint after BC landlord prohibits medical cannabis
A BC renter who was forced to move after his landlord took issue with his medical cannabis use has lost his human rights complaint. The landlord said her asthma was sensitive to the smell of cannabis, even when he vaporized…
Lower Mainland raids won’t deter Okanagan mushroom dispensary
Kelowna's downtown psilocybin mushroom dispensary isn't dissuaded by police raids at similar stores in Vancouver. Benny Dornan is betting a model that has a long history with cannabis in BC prior to legalization will still be observed for his compassion club,…
Judge tosses Okanagan pot shop suit over unlicensed stores on reserve
A BC judge tossed out a claim from 14 cannabis stores which claimed the province's inability to control unlicensed shops on First Nation reservation lands was hurting their business. The 14 businesses from the Shuswap to Penticton launched the suit…
RCMP bust multi-million dollar illegal cannabis mail order operation in B.C.
Three people were arrested in Surrey and White Rock in a B.C. RCMP investigation into a multi-million dollar illegal online mail order cannabis operation. Police searched two locations on Nov. 30, where they seized more than $200,000 in cash, gold…
Kamloops to consider drop in pot shop fees, highest in Thompson-Okanagan
Kamloops is the last big city in the Thompson-Okanagan region to drop its exorbitant cannabis business license fees. Cannabis store owners currently pay $5,000 per year for a business licence in Kamloops, but City staff now believe the steep fees…
‘Chronfather’ busted, properties searched in Kelowna, Calgary
A joint police operation led to $13 million worth of drug seizures last week, linking a Calgary operation with properties in Kelowna and Beaverdell. Calgary Police Service coordinated with B.C. RCMP to execute five separate search warrants on Dec. 7…
Downtown Kamloops cannabis store one step closer to opening
Kamloops city council gave their support for a cannabis retail licence Tuesday for a company called Eden Empire, which could soon open on Victoria Street. The new cannabis store would be located at 161 6 Avenue, under a new multi-unit…
New cannabis-infusing facility looking for approval in Kamloops
A Kamloops business is seeking temporary approval from city council to produce cannabis-infused products. The facility will be used to make cannabis-infused products like topicals and edibles and will operate at a Southgate property owned by Cascadia Natural Resource Consultants.…
1st cannabis business park in Okanagan on its way to Lumby
A new cannabis-centred business park is coming to Lumby, a first for the Okanagan. True Leaf has received preliminary approval to develop a 40-acre subdivision on Shuswap Avenue in the North Okanagan community, according to a True Leaf Brands Inc.…