Photo: Contributed

Central Okanagan school trustees will discuss the prospects of a B.C. government cannabis store in close proximity to an elementary school when they meet again in September.

The issue was on the agenda at Wednesday's School District 23 planning and facilities committee meeting.

Board chair Moira Baxter, who attended the meeting, said after lengthy discussion, the committee voted to refer the matter to the full board.

The committee is recommending the board send a letter reminding West Kelowna city council it had earlier recommended a 500-metre distance between cannabis stores and any school in the district.

The proposed store, in Westbank Town Centre mall, is less than 160 metres from George Pringle Elementary, but well within the 100-metre buffer agreed to by council.

"We wanted our concerns made known as part of any public consultation that happens about this application," said Baxter.

She also mentioned public concerns about drug paraphernalia and safety around the school.

"There are patrols going through the George Pringle site on a regular basis, and the parents have been very vocal about safety around the school."

A public hearing on the government cannabis store application must still be held before council can give final approval.

Baxter also wants to to find out what became of the "Drug Free Zone" program. It was first initiated in 1999, and set a two-block, drug-free radius around schools.

Under that program, people found with drugs within the zone would be treated more severely.