Photo: Contributed

City council approved a tenth pot shop Tuesday.

The latest recreational marijuana store is hoping to set up at 3300 31st Ave.

The city's role in approving marijuana stores is based on zoning, location and other criteria. The actual issuing of a license is up to the province so Vernon may not see all 10 pot shops open for business.

Coun. Kari Gares expressed concerns about the proximity of the store to another cannabis retail store they approved several weeks ago.

Gares said she is torn about having pot shops basically back to back, but Coun. Brian Quiring asked what the difference was between pot shops and liquor stores, noting Gerry O's and Monashee's were directly across the street from one another for years.

“There are wine stores and beer stores on every corner, how can you now say how many can be allowed,” said Quiring, adding he understands the concerns of council, but said it is a free enterprise system so the city should not restrict the number of stores.

Coun. Scott Anderson did not feel that was a fair comparison, because “there is still a strong underground market” for marijuana.

“It's not the same thing. This product is much easier to make than say a bottle of wine. You can open a pot shop and supply it from your basement,” said Anderson.

In the end, council agreed to approve the application which will now be passed on to the province.