Pubdate: Wed, 14 Dec 2016
Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB)
Copyright: 2016 Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact: http://www.edmontonsun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://www.edmontonsun.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/135
Author: Clare Clancy
Page: 5
Referenced: http://mapinc.org/url/spC7LQBu

LIQUOR STORE INDUSTRY'S PLANS TO SELL MARIJUANA UP IN SMOKE

A group representing Alberta's liquor stores is advocating for the
alcohol industry's involvement in the sale of legalized recreational
marijuana.

"It's unfortunate from our perspective that the task force took out an
entire industry for selling cannabis, especially when that industry
has such a good track record," said Ivonne Martinez, president of the
Alberta Liquor Store Association. "We have high compliance, we sell in
a responsible way."

Her comments followed the release of a report Tuesday that was
commissioned by the federal Liberal government. The framework document
recommended that recreational marijuana shouldn't be sold in the same
locations as alcohol or tobacco. It also recommended storefront and
mail-order sales to Canadians over the age of 18 and personal growing
limits of four plants per person.

"We have discovered that regulation of cannabis will touch every
aspect of our society," said the 106-page report.

The task force, headed by former federal Liberal cabinet minister Anne
McLellan of Edmonton, said production should be monitored with a
"seed-to-sale tracking system" to prevent diversions to the black market.

"Our advice includes safeguards that we believe are important to
attain the objectives set out by the government to better protect the
health and safety of Canadians by regulating access to cannabis,"
McLellan told a news conference in Ottawa.

Martinez said provinces should be afforded the autonomy to regulate
marijuana sales.

"We at least want to be considered when we are already selling a
controlled substance in Alberta," she said, adding the task force made
the connection that selling alcohol and cannabis together would
encourage the use of both. "We can't control what consumers are going
to do, but we can control that recreational marijuana is sold in a
responsible and safe manner."

She said separate entrances to stores or separate facilities may be
necessary, but liquor stores should be involved in the sales.

"We're uniquely qualified to do this," she said. "Hopefully, we can
work with government to help operators understand how to sell it and
how to advise consumers."

- - With files from The Canadian Press
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MAP posted-by: Matt