COLUMBIA, S.C. — CBD stores in Columbia could soon be required to change their signage, as the city considers new regulations that would prohibit the use of cannabis imagery and the word "pharmacy" or its variations on their buildings.
"Having to change a name is not a small thing, it's not an easy task, and the signage, signs are very expensive," said Christy Britt, a CBD store owner. "I would have to change my name and start all over again."
Britt expressed her concerns about the potential impact of the new rules on her business. "To come up with a different name, different signage, different business cards, different everything! Websites even, it just goes deeper and deeper," she listed.
If the proposed rules are approved, CBD stores within Columbia's city limits would have to comply by removing any cannabis-related images and refraining from using the term 'pharmacy' or similar terms such as 'farmacy' on their exterior signage.
"We are not trying to put any undue harm on small business. We are just trying to inform the public, add some clarity to what these establishments sell, and don't sell, and make sure they are represented clearly and carefully to the public," said Columbia City Councilmember Peter Brown.
Some city council members have raised concerns that cannabis imagery and the use of the word pharmacy could mislead customers.
Councilmember Brown acknowledged the issue, stating, "It just made sense that this would be a reasonable step in the right direction for some basic clarity, transparency, and compliance on signage."
Britt said she understood the council's perspective but believed the rules should be applied carefully. "I see both sides. I really do. I didn't think about it before now, but if they called their store pharmacy with a P-H, maybe they are trying to mislead," she explained.
The proposal will need two readings from the full council to become law. If approved, businesses would have a 90-day grace period to comply.
"A lot of this is really based on the community. I think we have a really good unified council. There are a lot of quality of life issues, there is a lot of economic development, a lot of pro-community efforts going on," Brown concluded.