Port Alberni city council will be discussing policing and pot at a pair of meetings today.
Inspector Brian Hunter will be presenting a proposal to increase the number of police officers by replacing the community policing position with a municipal employee instead of an officer.
Hunter told council at the last budget meeting that he doesn’t see the point of putting officers in roles where a gun and a badge are not required.
Tonight, council will host a public hearing on retail cannabis, to gauge public opinions on pot shops.
According to Bylaw Service Manager Flynn Scott, the city will be removing restrictions on cannabis retail except that they be more than 300 metres from any school.
He said ultimately the market will determine how many stores should be here.
The budget meeting starts at 1 this afternoon, and the public hearing is at 6 this evening.
