With a steady stream of cannabis retail operations working their way through city rezoning and licensing processes, the City of Victoria wants some idea from the province of what its plans are for the burgeoning marijuana industry.

Victoria council formally resolved to ask the province when it anticipates publishing draft regulations and legislation relating to distribution, regulation and taxation of cannabis. It will also ask that the province work with City of Victoria staff on the marijuana file.

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“Specifically [we’re asking] when can we expect to see those drafts,” said Coun. Ben Isitt, who proposed Mayor Lisa Helps write the province seeking information. “I think industry would be happy to hear that; obviously members of the public [would] and maybe this will help invite a discussion,” Isitt said.

In the absence of federal regulations governing marijuana, both Vancouver and Victoria have for the past couple of years been developing their own regulatory schemes for marijuana retailers.

Victoria has enacted licensing and zoning bylaws to regulate cannabis dispensaries within the city.

Under the process now in place, a business licence will not be issued to a cannabis retailer until a rezoning has been approved.

Meanwhile, marijuana retailers are expected to come into compliance with business licensing requirements, which govern operations by prohibiting cannabis consumption on the premises, restrict opening hours and not allow anyone younger than 19 to be in stores.

Under proposed federal legislation, provinces will be permitted to set their own licensing, distribution and retail sales rules and establish provincial zoning rules for cannabis businesses.

That has some Victoria councillors wondering what will happen to retailers who are licensed by the city if the province introduces regulations that advocate a different standard.