Pubdate: Tue, 05 Jul 2016
Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)
Page: A8
Copyright: 2016 The Toronto Star
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456
Author: Robert Benzie

WEED MAY BE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, OTTAWA SAYS

Justice Minister Encourages Law Enforcement to Continue Crackdown on 
Cannabis Users

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government warns legalized 
recreational marijuana will be a strictly controlled substance - so 
much so that even homegrown weed may be prohibited.

Federal Health Minister Jane Philpott said the government is "taking 
a public health approach to the matter of the legalization and 
regulation of marijuana," treating it like tobacco.

But in Ontario - despite strong anti-smoking laws - growing tobacco 
for personal consumption is allowed.

That raises questions about the efficacy of banning Canadians from 
cultivating marijuana at home for recreational use once it is 
legalized next year.

Kyle Bell, a medicinal cannabis advocate, said Monday that there is 
mounting concern that the federal Liberals may not allow anyone - 
even medical marijuana patients - to grow their own.

Bell noted Ottawa has until Aug. 24 to address a federal court ruling 
in B.C. that it's unconstitutional to stop patients from growing 
cannabis and forcing them to buy it from Health Canada-licensed producers.

"They're being very heavy-handed with it," he said of the federal 
government's moves.

In Colorado, where marijuana has been legal since 2014, state 
residents aged 21 and older can grow up to six plants each - to a 
maximum of 12 per household - with no more than three in the mature 
flowering stage at any time.

Some may be surprised to learn that in Ontario, the province's 
Tobacco Tax Act allows adults to "produce and process for his or her 
own personal use, and not for sale, up to 15 kg of raw leaf tobacco 
per calendar year." Anyone who grows more than that amount of tobacco 
- - or plans to sell their crop - must register with Queen's Park and 
will be subject to inspections.

When former deputy prime minister Anne McLellan was named chair of 
the nine-member federal task force on marijuana legalization and 
regulation last Thursday, Philpott indicated cannabis could be 
treated like tobacco.

"It's not uncommon for other substances to have regulation from the 
federal government, so as you know, there's a Tobacco Control Act in 
place," the health minister said.

Liberal MPP Bill Blair (Scarborough Southwest), the former Toronto 
police chief and a Trudeau lieutenant on the marijuana file, went 
further when asked if people would be allowed to grow their own pot.

"Unlike (growing) tomatoes, it is a substance that poses certain 
significant both social and health harms and risks to Canadians," 
said Blair, noting "the science is overwhelmingly clear that 
marijuana is not a benign substance."

He said that's why Ottawa will be "ensuring that an effective and 
comprehensive regulatory framework is put in place to control the 
production, distribution, and the consumption of marijuana."

Blair said the overarching goal of legalization is "protecting our 
kids, getting organized crime out of this trade . . . by reducing the 
violence and victimization they're responsible for - and doing 
everything possible to ensure whatever is consumed by Canadians is as 
healthful as we can make it."

That suggests Ottawa is leaning toward regulations for recreational 
marijuana similar to those governing medicinal cannabis, which is 
already legal in Canada.

Such marijuana is available with a prescription from a medical doctor 
and is supplied by 33 Health Canada-licensed producers and delivered 
by registered mail. The storefront "dispensaries" - more than 100 of 
which have popped up on Toronto streets in recent months - are 
illegal and are not licensed by Ottawa to provide medical marijuana.

Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould said Thursday that even though 
legalization looms, "the current criminal laws on marijuana remain in force."

"Production and possession of marijuana are illegal unless it has 
been authorized for medical purposes. The Government of Canada 
supports efforts by federal, provincial and municipal law enforcement 
to enforce these laws," said Wilson-Raybould, in an apparent 
reference to recent police crackdowns against the weed shops.

At Queen's Park, Premier Kathleen Wynne has a dozen provincial 
departments forging a strategy on the impact of legalized 
recreational cannabis - examining health effects, road safety, and 
tax implications.

"We will work with the federal government as we develop in Ontario 
the complementary distribution network," the premier said last week.

Wynne has repeatedly said she wants the Liquor Control Board of 
Ontario (LCBO) involved in retailing, in order to keep weed out of 
the hands of children and teenagers.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom