Pubdate: Thu, 06 Oct 2016
Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2016 Postmedia Network
Contact:  http://www.calgaryherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66
Author: Trevor Howell
Page: A3

SHARE POT TAXES, OTTAWA URGED

City also wants to see zero-tolerance approach to drivers under
influence

Calgary officials are urging Ottawa to consider implementing a zero
tolerance policy for drivers under the influence of marijuana, sharing
tax revenue from sales of the drug, and surrendering addresses of
existing medicinal cannabis grow ops..

In an Aug. 24 submission to the federal government's Task Force
Marijuana Legalization and Regulation, city manager Jeff Fielding
calls for ongoing discussions "throughout the legalization process to
ensure clear delineation of roles and expectations" between the three
orders of government.

"Municipalities will be an important partner in developing,
implementing and enforcing new regulations in this area," Fielding
wrote. The four-page document outlines concerns held by Calgary police
and various city departments on the implications legalizing cannabis
could have on the community.

The Trudeau government announced April 20 that it would introduce new
legislation in the spring of 2017, establishing a nine-member task
force to gather input from provincial and municipal governments,
indigenous people, health and addiction experts. The panel is expected
to report back to the government in November.

Calgary's submission identifies several general areas of concern -
including land-use and business licensing, building and fire code
compliance, community standards, enforcement and community safety -
but notes officials won't fully understand the impact until the
legislation is introduced next year.

"We follow very closely what the federal government is moving forward
on and, as things evolve ... we're going to stay aligned with it and
create the uses as they are permitted federally," Wayne Brown,
co-ordinator for the city's safety response unit, said in an interview.

In 2014, city council amended land-use bylaws to specifically allow
for commercial marijuana growing operations as a discretionary use in
areas zoned for general industrial activity. Earlier this year,
council approved rules to prevent marijuana counselling businesses
from clustering in neighbourhoods or opening within 150 metres of a
school.

The city - like many municipalities across the country - wants Ottawa
to provide a portion of potential taxes or revenues from marijuana
sales to offset the cost of educational initiatives, addiction
services and "other programs to address the social issues that may
arise with legalization," according to Calgary's submission.

Health Canada has estimated revenue from medical marijuana will hit
$1.3 billion with 450,000 patients by 2024. Analysts have pegged the
medical market as high as $3 billion with 800,000 patients and
recreational sales reaching $5 billion by 2024.

"We're not looking for taxing (power), we're looking for money that
they're collecting to rebate us for the additional costs, said Coun.
Ward Sutherland, vice-chairman of the city's priorities and finance
committee.

Authorities remain concerned about the lack of technology available to
police to test THC levels in drivers, making enforcement difficult,
and suggest a zero-tolerance policy until "technological advancements
are made."
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MAP posted-by: Matt