By Dominic Abassi

Nanaimo’s mayor pleased with progress on pot at UBCM

Sep 27, 2017 | 6:03 PM

NANAIMO — The mayor of Nanaimo is feeling more comfortable about the impending legalization of marijuana thanks to developments at this week’s Union of B.C. Municipalities convention.

Bill McKay said he’s excited to hear the province will consult with the public and also create a working group with the UBCM. On Wednesday, UBCM delegates overwhelmingly endorsed a resolution calling on the province to provide funding for any costs or “administrative burden” taken on by local governments. The resolution also asked for sharing of tax revenue from the sale of marijuana.

McKay said municipalities want to maintain authority over zoning regulations. “Every community is different. We’ve got much different demographics in Nanaimo than what they have in Parksville. I think it’s going to be great, I’m really pleased with this,” he said, referencing the province’s apparent willingness to consult and work collaboratively.

Nanaimo has yet to draft any local regulations for the roughly 20 dispensaries that have appeared over the last two years, something McKay said made the most sense.

“I’m pleased we laid back and watched. Victoria is telling us now many of their regulations may be thrown in the garbage…Victoria has been astounded by the level of staff involvement and cost in getting as far as they have…I think we just wait for the province and UBCM to come up with their recommendations and we’ll probably just run with those.”

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McKay said given the proliferation of storefront dispensaries in Nanaimo, there could be complications if the federal government insists retailers buy product from a select number of producers.

“Most of the small storefronts don’t buy from the big producers, they buy from cottage growers…We’re going to probably maintain the position we have now, if the federal government want us to enforce, you better be giving us some money to enforce.”

Solicitor General Mike 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.

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.

Despite some clarity and the promise of consultation, McKay said there are still complex issues to tackle. “Are you going to have places for people to smoke, like cafes? What are we going to do in parks and public spaces? What are we going to do in private residences? These are some challenging questions.”

dom@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @domabassi