It will still be a while before Vernon sees its first recreational marijuana shop, but there's no shortage of people wanting to fill the void.

The city has received 11 applications, but just how many will be allowed to set up shop has yet to be determined.

It is up to the province to give final approval to an application, but Mayor Victor Cumming says the city has not put a number on how many will be allowed to set up shop.

“I don't have a number in my head on this,” said Cumming. “We don't regulate how many shoe stores, and I don't know if council has an appetite to regulate the number of recreational marijuana stores.

“That will be in front of council. They will get to make that choice.”

Applicants must apply to the province to obtain a retail cannabis licence. The province then reviews the application and forwards it to the city, where local officials ensure it meets bylaw requirements.

Once approved by the city, the application is sent back to the province to be finalized.

Cumming said no applications have made it to council yet, but the mayor anticipates “a lively discussion when it does. It's an ongoing thing, so more of them are coming in.”

How fast the applications make it through the provincial process is up to the province, but Cumming expects to see the matter before council in February.

The city does have zoning regulations in place, and Cumming said pot shops can set up in traditional commercial zoning and tourist areas once they are approved.