Nelson proposes its own pot shop rules in absence of federal guidelines

The City of Nelson, B.C. is proposing its own pot shop regulations in an effort to grapple with itsbooming marijuana industry.

Within the past year, more than half a dozen medicaldispensaries have opened for business in the smallInterior city.

In May, Mayor Deb Kozak said city council was scrambling to ensure the businesses were properly regulated in the absence of federal guidelines.

National rules have yet to come into play, so the mayor said the city decided to make its own guidelines.

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Under new bylaws proposed this week, dispensaries wouldhave to pay a $5,000 operating fee and distancethemselves from other shops among other things.

Sensible BC, which has taken an active role in Nelson's pot industry, has come out against the new bylaw.

Tuesday was the last day for the public to comment on the recommendations.

With files from CBC's Bob Keating