Osoyoos council set to approve sale of marijuana in retail outlets

Osoyoos will allow the sale of marijuana in retail outlets when recreational cannabis becomes legal across Canada this October.

But Osoyoos council also hopes to keep provincially operated cannabis stores — similar to provincial liquor stores — out of the community.

And interested vendors should be prepared to pay “substantial” fees to set up shop.

At its regular meeting this week, council started putting “tick marks” next to numerous questions its administrative team wanted answered as the town ponders the sales and use of cannabis products in the community.

“We’re kind of getting our feet wet today and looking at all the issues,” said Mayor Sue McKortoff after council spent more than 40 minutes in a free-ranging discussion that included where retail outlets would be allowed, when the stores can be open and what interested vendors will have to pay in application and licensing fees.

Early in the discussion, council determined to allow retail sales in the community and followed up that decision with another to close the door on government-operated outlets.

“I see this industry as creating opportunities for people in our community and people who come to our community,” said Coun. Mike Campol before asking for a vote. “I’m not very keen on the government coming in and opening businesses.”

He added the province’s capacity to set up outlets without paying local business licensing was an additional frustration — especially as council has heard nothing about shared tax revenues to cover local operating costs.

“We have an opportunity to charge a fair amount for a business licence to offset some bylaw and policing costs,” said Campol.

Although the sale and use of marijuana is expected to be legal as of Oct. 17, the sale of cannabis is currently prohibited under the town’s zoning bylaw.

Council asked for additional information on zoning options, licensing fees and restrictive distances from schools and playgrounds and potentially town parks and green spaces.

That “buffer” — as Coun. CJ Rhodes called it — enjoyed extended conversation, with council asking for information more appropriate for a small lakeside community and noting a typical 300-metre zone would exclude much of the downtown core.

Administration said it would return with answers by the next scheduled meeting July 16.

Osoyoos council is also grappling with the question of how to fund the expected increased municipal expenses accompanying legal sales and how to provide for the public consumption of marijuana, especially on community beaches.