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Pot dispensaries are not currently welcome in Osoyoos.
On the recommendation of staff, Osoyoos town council passed a bylaw amendment this week barring marijuana dispensaries.
Planning director Alain Cunningham described it as a temporary and transitional zoning control measure that would prohibit medical marijuana outlets in the town.
"We are seeing a lot of business interest in opening these things and temporarily it's illegal under federal law," he said. "So this is a temporary holding measure until the changes in the federal law."
Council was divided on the matter with a 3-2 vote.
Coun. Mike Campol, who voted against it along with Coun. CJ Rhodes, said he did so because this sends a discouraging message.
"I think marijuana dispensaries serve a purpose for the health and wellness of communities, and there's a lot of people who haven't done their research and don't understand the medical benefits of marijuana," he said. "People still see it as someone standing outside and smoking a joint and that's not what it's all about these days."
Campol added one of the components is CBD, a natural anti-inflammatory, and there are major medical benefits to CBD in a day and age where children, teens and adults alike in a disproportionate number are addicted to opiates.
The next step will be a public hearing at 4 p.m. on July 18.
In June, the town shut down Starbuds, a recently opened medical marijuana outlet.
The city of Penticton is also cracking down on medical marijuana outlets.
– With files Oliver Daily News
