The number of over-the-counter marijuana dispensaries in Vancouver has soared in the past year to an estimated 61 shops. But as for what’s in store for 2015, the city’s police, politicians and pot impresarios all say the future looks pretty hazy.

That tally means Vancouver has more dispensaries than the rest of Canada combined, according to the Canadian Association of Medical Cannabis Dispensaries. CAMCD, an Ontario-based industry organization, also estimates that more than 80 per cent of the country’s dispensaries are in B.C.

The pot shops sprouting up and spreading like weeds throughout the city’s neighbourhoods operate without business licences, largely unregulated in how they advertise, and where they choose to open.

But Vancouver politicians and those in the weed dispensary business are calling on the federal government to regulate the industry.

“I’m frustrated,“ said Vancouver councillor Kerry Jang, “because there is a place for medical marijuana dispensaries in the City of Vancouver. But the growth that we’ve seen is likely, in my opinion, starting to get out of control.”

To explain the city’s position, Jang points to the new federal laws governing medical cannabis that came into effect April 1, 2014. Among other restrictions, the laws require medical marijuana to be obtained by mail from licensed producers.

Last April’s federal law, Jang said, “blocks people’s access to medicine.”

The current situation, Jang said, places the City of Vancouver in a “conundrum.”

On one hand, the city cannot create a business licence category for these shops because it would contravene federal law, he said. However, if the city shut down those retailers, Jang said, it would blocking access to medicine.

Last term, Vancouver council unanimously passed a motion, introduced by Jang, calling for the federal government to create a regulatory and tax structure for marijuana, similar to those in place for alcohol, tobacco, or prescription medicines.

“The federal government has shown no interest in doing that, to date,” Jang said, pointing to Health Canada.

“They’ve created this regulatory nightmare.”

Asked if he could think of a similar example of a different industry where dozens of storefront businesses operate without business licenses, Jang said “No. We don’t have anything like that ... this is very unique.”

A Health Canada spokesman wrote in an email: “Health Canada does not license organizations such as compassion clubs or dispensaries to possess, produce or distribute marijuana for medical purposes. These organizations were, and remain, illegal.

“This is an enforcement issue and falls under the jurisdiction of law enforcement agencies.”

But Vancouver police have indicated no intention of cracking down on these shops in the near future. Instead, they’ve said they will prioritize and take action if and when an individual situation calls for it.

In a recent example, VPD executed a search warrant in September on an East Vancouver marijuana store where “drugs were allegedly being sold to virtually anyone who walked in the door.”

For now though, most dispensaries are not a high priority for police, who prefer to focus resources on violent criminals, said VPD spokesman Const. Brian Montague.