Pubdate: Fri, 27 Nov 2015 Source: Hamilton Spectator (CN ON) Copyright: 2015 The Hamilton Spectator Contact: http://www.thespec.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/181 Author: Howard Elliott Page: A14 LCBO GOING TO POT NOT A BAD IDEA Yes, it probably is too early to talk about selling legalized marijuana through LCBO outlets. The president of the LCBO union said this week that's the safest and most logical place to sell pot. But Finance Minister Charles Sousa was quick to jump in and label the idea premature. Fair point. If you think about it, there are some good reasons to entrust pot sales to the government liquor stores. They are experienced at selling a regulated substance. They do a good job, generally, checking consumer IDs. They are secure, and can be made more so if necessary. If we are going to have legal pot, it makes sense to use existing infrastructure rather than invent a bureaucracy. But we're a long way from that, as Sousa notes. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made an unequivocal promise to legalize it, but since then the government has offered few details about logistics, consultation and implementation. A logical first step is decriminalization, then we can take our time about outright legalization. There is much to consider. Health issues, the black market, potency limitations, security, taxation levels, pricing - the list goes on. Legalization isn't a bad idea, and Trudeau does have a mandate to do it. But it doesn't have to happen fast. It has to happen right. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt