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Walters expects the issue of pot smoking in public places to be contentious.

“That’s going to be the most interesting conversation,” he said in a phone interview. “Do we set up a cannabis tent, like a beer tent at festivals? Do we allow people to smoke on the street like they do with cigarettes? Do we ban cannabis smoking where we ban tobacco smoking?”

Walters said council concerns itself with three principles when it comes to cannabis: concern for public health and safety, ensuring the city is business friendly, and making sure regulations reflect a balanced perspective among Edmontonians.

Among the proposals from city administrators is that cannabis stores must be at least 200 metres from a school or public library, and 100 metres from a park or recreation centre. Stores must also be 200 metres apart, according to another proposal.

Public hearings on those ideas are to take place in May.

In an update tabled for Tuesday, administration notes it will also present options for smoking pot in public to council on May 23.

There are three possibilities.

One would prohibit all public consumption, another would allow for public consumption except in areas banned by provincial regulations, and in areas where tobacco smoking is prohibited under the city’s public places bylaw.

The third choice would regulate public consumption in a more restrictive manner than provincial legislation, but still allow some public consumption, for instance, in designated areas at festivals.