The Town of Sylvan Lake presented its proposed regulations for legalized cannabis at an open house at the NexSource Centre on Wednesday night, outlining restrictions on smoking and where retailers could be located.

“These are proposals at this point. They’re now bylaws yet, but those are the conversations that we’re having,” said Mayor Sean McIntyre.

When it comes to public consumption, the town would handle it through its smoking bylaw.

A definition of “smoking” would be added to include various methods -- many used to consume pot --  including: “lighted cigarette, lighted cigar, lighted pipe, a hookah, and electronic cigarette or vape, or other lighted smoking implement designed to burn or heat tobacco, cannabis, or any other weed or substance for the purpose of inhaling or tasting of its smoke or emissions.”

Administration recommends that smoking be banned from the beach, parks, playgrounds and municipal buildings where children visit, such as libraries or recreation facilities.

Regarding location of retailers, administration proposes making cannabis retail sales a discretionary use in commercial and mixed use districts; with a 150-metre setback between retailers, and between retailers and sensitive land uses like schools, libraries and recreation facilities.

First reading for changes to the Land Use Bylaw is expected in May, while first reading for amendments to the Smoke Free Bylaw are expected in June.

“Those initial timelines were in response to expected recreational legalization of cannabis coming from the federal government. That timeline has changed. Ours hasn’t but we do have more leeway now should more conversation be warranted,” said McIntyre.