The B.C. government intends to create a chain of government-run stores that sell cannabis and accessories but not liquor or tobacco, it was announced Tuesday.

It will also allow entrepreneurs to run privately-owned dispensaries that sell cannabis and accessories but not alcohol or tobacco.

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The British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch will operate the government’s stand-alone network of cannabis stores and it will also be responsible for licensing private stores and monitoring the retail sector.

The operating rules governing public and private retail stores will be similar to those currently in place for liquor, according to the government. In urban areas, licensed retailers will only be allowed to sell cannabis and cannabis accessories, and will be prohibited from selling other products, such as food, gas, clothing and lottery.

In rural areas, the government will make exceptions and allow dispensaries to sell other essentials, although not alcohol or tobacco.

The criteria for determining these rural areas are currently under development.

This spring, the government plans to launch an early registration process for individuals and business owners who are interested in applying for a cannabis retail licence.

Although B.C. will not cap the number of retail licences available, licences will not be issued without the support of local governments, which will have the authority to make local decisions, based on the needs of their communities.