Pubdate: Wed, 14 Dec 2016
Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB)
Copyright: 2016 Winnipeg Free Press
Contact: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/send_a_letter
Website: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502
Author: Mia Rabson
Page: B4
Referenced: http://mapinc.org/url/spC7LQBu

TASK FORCE SETS RULES FOR LEGALIZED POT

Issues 80 recommendations for upcoming Liberal law

OTTAWA - A federal task force on legalized recreational marijuana says
it should be sold to Canadians over the age of 18 in storefronts or by
mail, but not in the same places as liquor or cigarettes.

The task force, headed by former Liberal health minister Anne
McLellan, was asked to consult with communities and experts and report
back to the government with a framework on how pot should be
legalized. The government is preparing legislation to be introduced in
the spring. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised to legalize pot
during the 2015 election.

The task force made 80 recommendations on everything from distribution
and sales to limits on possession, advertising and branding. It said
provincial governments should regulate the wholesale distribution and
sale of cannabis, but Manitoba is no closer to saying how it might go
about doing that.

Manitoba Justice Minister Heather Stefanson said Tuesday the
government is "taking the time to review our options" on whether the
province wants marijuana sales overseen by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries.

The task force said provinces should have flexibility to increase the
minimum age, but not lower it.

The restriction on sales will be disappointing to some provinces that
argued provincial liquor stores are the best equipped to sell pot.
While the former Manitoba government had expressed such an
inclination, the new

OTory government has not indicated any preference. It's waiting to see
federal legislation before spending a significant amount of time or
money on the subject.

On Tuesday, Premier Brian Pallister reiterated his concerns the
Trudeau government is moving too fast. He recently asked that
legislation be put off until more research is done and more public
education is undertaken on safety issues such as drug-impaired driving.

"I'm concerned about the safety of the innocent people who are not
using the product," Pallister said Tuesday.

Pallister said provinces need more time to prepare for legalized pot,
though he did seem to favour the recommendation not to restrict sales
to those over age 21.

That had been the recommendation of the Canadian Medical Association,
along with strict limits on quantity until the age of 25, but the task
force said the concerns younger Canadians would simply turn to the
black market to get the drug were significant.

Pallister seemed to agree, noting one of his daughters, who is an
actuary, had warned if the minimum age was set at 21 "the gangs will
love that."

He said his other daughter suggested setting the age higher than 18
would lose him the youth vote.

Pallister's biggest concerns surround drug-impaired driving, an issue
the task force acknowledged needs more work. There is not good
research yet to link the level of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol, the
chemical responsible for most of marijuana's psychological effects)
with a level of impairment, the way a blood-alcohol content limit has
been set for drunk driving.

It urged more research and additional training of police officers to
identify and test for the presence of drugs at the roadside.

The task force recommended a comprehensive national public education
program "to send a clear message to Canadians that cannabis causes
impairment and the best way to avoid driving impaired is to not consume."

The campaign should also inform of the dangers of drug-impaired
driving and the applicable laws.

The task force said the government also needs to invest in developing
an appropriate roadside screening device for the presence of marijuana.

McLellan noted drug-impaired driving already is an issue and
legalizing pot is not going to introduce it. There is evidence in
American jurisdictions that drug-impaired driving deaths spiked after
pot was legalized.

Other recommendations say edible pot products cannot be made to look
appealing to children by appearing to be candy and that pot lounges or
storefronts can't be located near schools, community centres or parks.

Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould said the government must study
the report, but it intends to stick to its plan to introduce
legislation this spring.

- - with files from Nick Martin and Kristin Annable
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt