Pot shop rules to be discussed by Victoria city council Thursday

The federal Liberals have said they'll have legislation readyin a year to legalize marijuana in Canada. But someVictoria's city politiciansdon't want to wait.

Councillors will discuss potential regulations on the city's rapidly growing number of pot shops Thursday. Many of the potential bylawsthey'll consider will look familiar to anyone who's followed Vancouver's drive to regulate its dispensaries. But not all.

"We really have the optimal positioning of being able to watch them and, frankly, learn from some of their mistakes," said CouncillorJeremy Loveday, referring to Vancouver city council, speaking on CBC's All Points West.

Lovedayhas a lengthy wish list for Victoria. He wantsto ensurevideo surveillance is mandatory in all dispensaries, that they're not permitted to advertise to minors, that pot shopsfollow existing noise and smell bylaws, and thatthere is aminimumdistance of 200 metres between each dispensary, and between dispensariesandschools.

Loveday'ssuggestions for Victoria are similar to Vancouver's pot shop regulations. One difference is that Loveday would like Victoria dispensaries to be allowed to sell edible products.

He says it's important for patients who can't smoke marijuana tobeable to purchase what they need in the city's dispensaries.

Pot shops federally illegal

Critics of legalization have saiditwill do little to stem the organized crime already involved in marijuana distribution, and thatin bending to the growing pressure to regulate, municipalities are condoning whatis still an illegal activity.

Loveday says thegoal with creating regulations is to ensure the federally illegal pot shops integrateintoneighbourhoods.

"So far in [city council]discussions it's been pretty clear that we need to move forward with regulations of some sort," said Loveday.

"I think on Thursday we'll have somereally great and in-depth discussion about what regulations should look like, and about these staff recommendations that reallyare based on a lot of public feedback."