Premiers demand clarity on cannabis

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This article was published 20/07/2017 (3029 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA — Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister has convinced his fellow premiers to push Ottawa for clarity on marijuana legalization — and to ask for an extension if the federal government doesn’t answer their questions.

At the premiers’ annual summer meeting Wednesday in Edmonton, Pallister pushed for an extension on the federal Liberals’ commitment to legalize recreational pot by Canada Day 2018.

“The prime minister wants to stick to his deadline. That’s super-duper,” Pallister said. “He needs to then hear what the premiers of his country, our country, have said we need help with.”

Alberta Premier Rachel Notley listed five issues she said need to be addressed in order for the provinces to get on-board with legalization: road safety and enforcement, preparation and training on distribution, taxation, public education, and supply and demand and how that might affect the black market.

“Premiers around this table agreed that should the federal government not engage adequately on these issues, we will need more time to implement the federal government’s decision,” Notley said.

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne said the issues are critical.

“The starting point is: Have we met the public safety concerns? Are we sure that we have the provisions in place to protect youth (and) do we understand what the highway traffic implications are?” she said. “We have to make sure that we can keep people safe.”

The federal plan would have provinces decide how to sell marijuana, where it will be allowed and what the minimum buyer’s age should be. Last month, the Liberals said they’d make marijuana available for purchase by mail if provinces such as Manitoba didn’t have rules in place by the deadline.

While Pallister had pushed for a year-long extension for this “monumental undertaking,” Notley didn’t say how much time the provinces would seek if they request a deadline.

The premiers have struck a working group to seek answers from Ottawa and to provide recommendations by November on how to move forward.

Pallister said all the leaders have concerns about legalized cannabis that need to be addressed and “we have one chance to get it right.” Later, in a conference call with reporters, he said it was dangerous to legalize pot while the U.S. starts renegotiation the North American Free Trade Agreement.

“A trade impact with the United States seems to be self-evident. I would think there wouldn’t be a worse time to rush into legalizing marijuana,” Pallister said.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was asked Wednesday at a stop in Quebec City if there is any flexibility to the July 1 deadline. He replied the goal is still to have the law passed by next summer. “We are continuing to work with the provinces to make sure the framework will be in place a soon as possible.”

Trudeau said right now young people have easy access to marijuana when they shouldn’t and criminals and streets gangs are making millions through illegal sales.

“We need to put an end to this policy that does not work,” he said. “We are continuing to work with the provinces to make sure the framework will be in place as soon as possible.”

The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police on Wednesday concluded a national conference in Montreal where president Mario Harel warned that organized crime won’t simply withdraw from the marijuana market when recreational cannabis becomes legal.

Harel said extra funds will be needed for equipment and to train officers to detect drug-impaired drivers.

Pallister said he was also pleased the premiers pushed Trudeau to come up with a plan to deal with asylum-seekers crossing the U.S. border near towns such as Emerson.

— with files from The Canadian Press

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca