The federal Liberals have said they'll have legislation ready in a year to legalize marijuana in Canada. But some Victoria's city politicians don't want to wait.

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

Councillor Jeremy Loveday will discuss dispensary regulations with the rest of Victoria city council on Thursday. (jeremyloveday.com)

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

Loveday has a lengthy wish list for Victoria. He wants to ensure video surveillance is mandatory in all dispensaries, that they're not permitted to advertise to minors, that pot shops follow existing noise and smell bylaws, and that there is a minimum distance of 200 metres between each dispensary, and between dispensaries and schools.

Loveday's suggestions 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 to be able to purchase what they need in the city's dispensaries.

Pot shops federally illegal

Critics of legalization have said it will do little to stem the organized crime already involved in marijuana distribution, and that in bending to the growing pressure to regulate, municipalities are condoning what is still an illegal activity.

Loveday says the goal with creating regulations is to ensure the federally illegal pot shops integrate into neighbourhoods.

"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 some really great and in-depth discussion about what regulations should look like, and about these staff recommendations that really are based on a lot of public feedback."