Pubdate: Thu, 28 Jan 2016
Source: Agassiz Harrison Observer (CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 Agassiz Observer
Contact:  http://www.agassizharrisonobserver.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1344

LEGAL LIMBO ON POT LAWS

Though it was an election promise, Justin Trudeau's Liberals aren't 
going to be able to legalize marijuana overnight.

In fact, the legalization of pot might take longer than the four 
years they are guaranteed before the next federal election in Oct. 2019.

Undoubtedly, the federal government would like to get started on this 
promise, since it's worth millions of tax dollars every year. But 
when you consider what they already have on their plate, what with 
ISIS, Syrian refugees, assisted dying and, oh yes, the economy, it's 
understandable that legalizing pot might not be the top item on the 
Liberals to-do list.

Still, the promise was made, and with pot already legalized in 
Washington and Colorado, there is a certain expectation that it is a 
promise they will follow through on. That leaves our police and 
justice system in a bit of a legal limbo.

All the existing prohibitions are still in force, but police have had 
a hard enough time enforcing those and getting punitive judgments 
without the concept of legalization hanging over their heads, in 
addition to the limited legalization of medicinal marijuana.

And where there is a crack, there are opportunists looking to take 
advantage. Unregulated compassion clubs and dispensaries are 
springing up, not just in Penticton, but also in Vernon, Nanaimo and 
other communities.

Medicinal marijuana is legal. But the interpretation of that law, 
which has seen marijuana storefronts open up across the country, 
needs to be clarified. Legalization and setting up the associated 
processes may take years, but in the meantime, the RCMP, courts and 
even municipalities need to know how to proceed.

And this has to happen before more dollars are spent on what may 
prove unnecessary enforcement. Is a crackdown at this stage an 
effective use of resources?

Instead, let's set out a timeline of how this is going to happen and 
set some preliminary regulations for licensing and regulation of sales.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom