Photo: Colton Davies

When recreational cannabis becomes legal later this year, the Town of Osoyoos will only allow privately-operated retail stores and none that are publicly operated.

On Tuesday, town council voted unanimously to only allow retail sales of cannabis from private stores, and to prohibit sales from public stores.

"I’m not very keen on having the government come in and open business," Coun. Mike Campol said. “I see this industry as creating opportunities for people within our community and people who want to come to our community to start new businesses."

Campol and Coun. C.J. Rhodes voiced disappointment for federal and provincial governments downloading many responsibilities onto local governments, noting in Osoyoos the planning involved has absorbed a lot of staff resources.

Director of planning Gina MacKay said municipalities will have the final say for any potential retail cannabis stores — meaning the province wouldn't be able to open a retail store in Osoyoos without council's approval.

Public liquor stores in B.C. will be operated by the B.C. Liquor Distribution Branch. Provincially-ran liquor stores don't pay fees for business licenses, and it's not clear if provincial cannabis stores would either.

It's also not clear if municipalities in B.C. will receive a share of taxes collected from retail cannabis sales. Campol pointed out business licenses fees for private cannabis stores would be a way of recovering some of those costs if they don't receive taxes from it.

Mayor Sue McKortoff said Osoyoos, along with other municipalities in B.C., have written to the provincial government asking for a share of the taxes, but to date there has been no response.

Osoyoos council also discussed options for zoning of retail cannabis stores. Most voiced a desire for buffer zones around schools and daycares, while council was less adamant about buffer zones around city parks.

Recreational cannabis will be legalized across Canada on Oct. 17.