The City of Humboldt administration is looking into what business license and zoning changes it may need to make to allow for a store that sells marijuana.

However this is a challenge, given all provincial and federal rules aren’t yet in place, city manager Joe Day said.

“It is difficult to know what rules and regulations a municipality will need to bring in until we find out exactly what the province is doing as far as its regulations go. So we are just trying to follow the issues and follow what changes the province is making and then be prepared to respond to that.”

The Sask Party government announced this month it will issue around 60 cannabis retail permits to private operators in as many as 40 Saskatchewan municipalities and First Nation communities. Those communities can decide to opt out of having a pot store.

Humboldt will be eligible for one store.

The city’s initial thought is to regulate cannabis similarly to alcohol. Such stores wouldn't be allowed in some areas - such as near schools or the hospital - but would be allowed in other areas with council approval, Day said.

There’s no timeline yet on when administration will have a formal proposal for council to consider.

The federal Liberal government intends to legalize cannabis no later than July 2018.