RDOS seeks pot control

Photo: pixabay

The Regional District Okanagan Similkameen is hoping it can have a say in where marijuana is sold in the region once it's legalized.

The RDOS is researching if it can acquire the authority to issue business licenses, and if the additional power would benefit the region.

"The board is especially interested in possibly using it in the control of recreational marijuana, once legalized," the regional district's corporate business plan reads.

"This a tool that the board of directors believes would be beneficial and we intend to investigate the process and probability of approval,"

Under the Local Government Act, no regional district has the jurisdiction to issue business licenses — only temporary use permits.

Those permits can only be issued for a maximum of three years and require the provincial government's approval.

Recreational use of marijuana is expected to become legal on Jul. 1.