POT SHOP LICENCES OK’D,

Regina city council has given its final approval to the six marijuana retail licences on offer by the provincial government.

In a Monday meeting, only a single councillor voted against accepting the licences, which will allow legal pot shops to open up in Regina.

That was Coun. Bob Hawkins, who warned the city should not support a “rising drug culture.”

But Coun. Barbara Young said there’s no use to taking an “ostrich approach” over legalization. “I think we have an obligation to put stores in place that are regulated,” she said.

Debate was sharpest over whether six licences will even be enough. Coun. Joel Murray moved an amendment calling on city hall and the police to study what that will mean for the black market.

“Six may not be enough,” Murray said.

Police Chief Evan Bray told him the number will be immaterial if the goal is to completely eliminate the illegal trade.

“What I can say with a 100-percent guarantee is there is going to be a black market,” said Bray.

Some councillors viewed Murray’s study as a waste of money. Coun. Jerry Flegel said the province hasn’t budged on far more serious issues. Why, he asked, would they agree to grant Regina more shops?

Nonetheless, Murray’s amendment passed.

Talk also turned to zoning. Flegel asked administration whether there was any chance a pot shop could ever open up next to a school.

City manager Chris Holden said no, and stressed that administration will remain “very sensitive” to that issue.

He told Flegel more details on zoning and bylaw issues will follow in a second report.

Administration has already mentioned the 600-foot buffer currently used to separate adult entertainment and other land uses as one model that could protect kids. But Coun. Lori Bresciani said she wants more than 600 feet for pot shops.

Flegel also asked, apparently incredulous, how there are still illicit dispensaries operating in Regina, despite all police efforts to the contrary.

“Currently, there are no growops within the city of Regina that are legal,” Holden stressed.

As he spoke, one of the most outspoken dispensary operators in the city sat in council chambers. Pat Warnecke, owner of Best Buds Society, sat with a large pile of documents.

He smirked as councillors raised concerns over the alleged dangers of marijuana. Coun. Sharron Bryce said it’s bad for children. Hawkins put it simply: “I just don’t think it’s right.”

Repeating the same warnings he made in executive committee earlier this month, Hawkins argued the city was “putting the cart before the horse” by approving the licences without knowing the costs.

“We have no indication whatsoever that the provincial government is prepared to share with us even one penny,” he said, referring to tax revenues Ottawa has promised to share with the provinces.

Coun. Mike O’Donnell proposed an amendment to deal with that issue. It asked the province to “provide an accounting for their expenses relating to cannabis legalization.”

Mayor Michael Fougere ended debate.

He said that he’s long objected to the timeline over legalization, rather than legalization itself. But much like Hawkins, he focused on the bottom line.

He said taxpayers shouldn’t be on the hook for legalization, which he said could cost even more than the $1.2-1.8 million police have estimated. With civic expenses factored in, he said, it could climb higher.