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Solicitor General Mike Farnworth said while the timeline imposed by the federal government is tight, the public must have a chance to propose ideas and raise concerns.

“The best public policy isn’t imposed from up above,” he told reporters. “The best public policy is made when there’s a sense that people understand the questions … and they feel they’ve had a say.”

The consultation process is scheduled to last until Nov. 1 to allow the B.C. government time to draft regulations ahead of the spring session of the legislature, which must happen in order to have a law in place by next Canada Day, Farnworth said.

Federal legislation has yet to be finalized, but the provinces will have the power to regulate the retail sale of marijuana and to upgrade traffic safety laws to protect people on the roads from cannabis-impaired drivers.

Farnworth said some elements of the provincial regulatory framework will have to be universal, such as the distribution model and the minimum age of consumption, but it must also give municipalities room to manoeuvre based on the wishes of local residents.

“I don’t see any reason at all why we have to have a one-size-fits-all approach in terms of retail distribution in British Columbia,” he said.

Jang agreed, adding the province will benefit from the experiences of Vancouver and Victoria in regulating the industry. He said he supports the government’s outreach plans.

“My initial response when I talked with minister Farnworth was, ‘Gee, pinch me. Wake me up. Is this really happening?”‘ Jang said.