Pubdate: Sun, 18 Dec 2016
Source: Calgary Sun, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2016 The Calgary Sun
Contact: http://www.calgarysun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://www.calgarysun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/67
Author: Ryan Rumbolt
Page: 4

PUBLIC ASKED TO PIPE UP

Alberta to conduct consultations before setting legal age to buy
marijuana

With cannabis legalization coming down the pipe in 2017, Premier
Rachel Notley said input from Albertans will help set the minimum age
to purchase marijuana.

Notley weighed in on weed legalization following a report released by
the Task Force on Cannabis Legalization and Regulation recommending a
national minimum age of 18 to purchase marijuana.

The report also said provinces and territories should be allowed to
"harmonize" the minimum age for cannabis with their minimum age for
purchasing alcohol and tobacco.

"Not everyone is going to agree, but I think it's really important
that we do engage (with Albertans) because I know lots of families are
concerned about safety on (marijuana)," Notley said.

The report said cannabis use during adolescence may be associated with
effects on brain development.

Alberta Liberal Leader Dr. David Swann said the marijuana minimum age
should be 21 years old, citing the same health concerns as basis for
his recommendation.

"The Canadian Medical Association and the (Canadian Pediatric Society)
have looked at the research and recommended 25 as the minimum age for
marijuana access," Swann said.

"I'm trying to find some reasonable compromise between what the task
force is suggesting, is 18."

Swann said he agrees with Notley's plan to consult with Albertans
before deciding on the minimum age, and Canada's "prohibitionist
approach" to marijuana has to change.

The task force looked at the minimum legal ages for tobacco and
alcohol to help provide a framework for a marijuana minimum age.

Most provinces and territories have a minimum age of 19, with only
Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec setting their minimum age at 18.

Cam Battley, senior vice-president with Alberta-based Aurora Cannabis,
the province's only licensed producer of medical marijuana, and member
of the Canadian Medical Cannabis Industry Association board of
directors, said there is a lot riding on how the provinces roll out
legalization legislation.

"The premier's comment, to me, emphasize that Alberta is taking a
thoughtful and considered approach to legalization and that's entirely
appropriate," Battley said. "Legalizing and regulating cannabis is the
right public policy, but we have to get it right the first time."

The report examined how marijuana legalization was handled in Colorado
and Washington, where the state governments chose to align the minimum
age for purchasing marijuana with the minimum age for purchasing
alcohol at 21.

Notley said the largest demographic for marijuana users is between 18
and 25, and setting a minimum age higher than 18 might contribute to
illegal sales of cannabis.

"If it's not legal for (18-year-olds) then you actually continue to
have a black market and all the negative things that are associated
with that," Notley said.

But Notley echoed Swann's comments and the report's findings that
people under the age of 25 are at an elevated risk from marijuana use,
specifically when it comes to brain development. Notley said the
province will need to examine the report before coming to a decision
about marijuana legislation.

The report said there are lessons to be learned from tobacco and
alcohol control when it comes to marijuana, including reducing harm to
high-risk users through active prevention, education and treatment.
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MAP posted-by: Matt