Article content

Regina City Council has given its final approval to the six marijuana retail licences on offer by the provincial government.

In a Monday meeting, only a single councillor voted against accepting the licences, which will allow legal pot shops to open up in Regina.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Councillors give green light to pot shop licences for Regina Back to video

That was Coun. Bob Hawkins, who warned that the city should not support a “rising drug culture.”

But Coun. Barbara Young said there’s no use to taking a “ostrich approach,” with the city sticking its head in the sand over legalization.

“I think we have an obligation to put stores in place that are regulated,” she said.

Debate was sharpest over whether six licences will even be enough for Regina. Coun. Joel Murray moved an amendment calling on city hall and the police to study what that will mean for the black market.

“Six may not be enough,” Murray said.

Police Chief Evan Bray told him the number will be immaterial if the goal is to completely eliminate the illegal trade.