The City of West Kelowna is moving ahead in its efforts to ban marijuana retailers.
City staff say this will effectively give the city a clean slate to work with once cannabis is legalized later this year.
Mayor Doug Findlater says this gives the city maximum control in approving pot shops down the road.
"I would like to see availability on a very limited basis, of both recreational and medical marijuana in West Kelowna. I do think that that's fair to go in that direction," he said.
"So when we use terms like prohibition, it's prohibition for now. And that may change in the future."
Staff say that as federal regulations become better understood, the city will update its bylaw accordingly.
Planning Manager Nancy Henderson says this will allow council to help decide exactly where cannabis will and will not be sold.
"Having a clean slate in the municipality is definitely preferred, to move forward. And then council can decide where you want to see retail sales to occur. You may wish to consider site-specific zoning. And we will come back."
The measure would also make it harder for existing dispensaries, who've been operating illegally, to convert to legal status.
Council will host a public hearing on this proposal, which is set for May 22.