Pubdate: Thu, 23 Mar 2017
Source: Valley Voice, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2017 The Valley Voice
Contact: http://valleyvoice.ca/contact-us/
Website: http://www.valleyvoice.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1388
Author: Jan McMurray

MP STETSKI HOLDS TELEPHONE TOWN HALL ON MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION

Kootenay-Columbia NDP MP Wayne Stetski hosted a telephone town hall
meeting on March 14 to hear his constituents' views on the
legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes.

"The government will legalize and regulate marijuana - this is big
news," said Stetski in his opening remarks. "This is probably one of
the largest economic activities in Kootenay-Columbia. Will
legalization help or hurt the local industry?"

Stetski had three local guests with expertise in different aspects of
the issue: Nelson Mayor Deb Kozak, Tamara Duggan, owner of Tamarack
Dispensaries in Kimberley, and Dean Nicholson, Executive Director of
East Kootenay Addiction Services Society in Cranbrook. An RCMP
representative had been invited, but declined.

Mayor Kozak feels that legalization of recreational marijuana use is a
positive step forward, but wants the federal government to consult
with local governments and local communities on how it will be
regulated and enforced. She'd also like to see local governments
sharing in the revenues.

Dean Nicholson has 28 years of experience in the addictions field, and
is happy to see marijuana moving from a criminal to a public health
framework. He says there are more complex issues involved with
marijuana than with alcohol and tobacco, and he expects changes in the
legislation as the government encounters the "bumps on the road."

Tamara Duggan opened the Tamarack Dispensaries in Cranbrook in July
2015, and was the first dispensary in Canada to be issued a business
licence. Her fear is that the new legislation will not sanction
dispensaries, killing small businesses and the economic impact they
have in their communities. "We've been doing the groundwork and laying
the foundation, but licenced producers want the monopoly and want to
open their own storefronts," she said. "We are pushing the government
to include dispensaries and not just listen to the opinions of the
licenced producers."

Will legalization affect the Kootenay economy?

Duggan's concerns were echoed several times during the town hall call.
"Will it be squeezing out mom and pop growers?" asked one woman.
Stetski replied that there absolutely are concerns about who will be
allowed to grow and sell it. Duggan said she deals with a number of
small growers who can't expand or openly hire people because they are
afraid of being raided. "We want the government to make the
legislation open enough so small growers can be people in the
agricultural industry and not have to go underground."

"We need local people and small business dealing with this on a local
level," said another woman. "I'm afraid of having Monsanto'd pot."
Duggan said there was a recent recall on a batch of marijuana that was
heavily laden with pesticides and chemicals. "We're buying our
products from growers who put love and care into their plants and the
last thing they're thinking is to use chemicals to boost production
and make more money because they know what that can do to people's
bodies. If we can only buy products from big, licenced producers,
that's our big concern."

Another resident asked if there are any plans to start plantations to
create some sustainable, well-paying jobs in the West Kootenay.

Mayor Kozak replied, "If we are looking to have a broader or more
lenient system towards growers, I would encourage you to take that
message to government." Stetski added that the government is looking
for ways to engage First Nations.

Is marijuana a gateway drug?

Nicholson said there is no real evidence that using marijuana will
lead to using harder drugs, although it's true that most people who
use heavy drugs also use marijuana. He said marijuana is the second
most popular drug after alcohol in the world, and law and order hasn't
changed this, "so a different way of approaching the issue is very
much needed." People have their drugs of choice, and making marijuana
available won't stop people from using other drugs, he said. Nicholson
also said that the issue of decriminalizing or legalizing a broader
array of drugs is becoming topical, and the legalization of marijuana
may provide a platform for legalizing other drugs in Canada.

Does marijuana affect driving?

The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that the police have the right
to determine impairment from marijuana and other drugs, and they are
currently testing a device that will measure THC levels. Nicholson
said marijuana is the second highest drug detected in fatal motor
vehicle accidents after alcohol. He said there is a standard
behavioural test at roadside, and then a blood test - and an important
determination going forward will be the legal limit of THC in the
bloodstream.

Will marijuana smoking be allowed in public places?

Stetski said many of his constituents feel marijuana smoking should
not be allowed in public places, just like tobacco. Mayor Kozak agreed
that the provincial law around smoking in public places should apply
across the board.

Is there enough scientific research on marijuana?

Stetski said federal physicians want more research done. Nicholson
said research has been difficult to do while marijuana has been under
the criminal code. There is some good research underway now, he said,
and a lot more that can be done. Stetski added that recent research
suggests our brains are most actively growing until we are 25.
However, the government task force on marijuana legalization is
recommending 19 as the legal age, as they feel many people would use
the black market if the age is too high.

Current legal uncertainty

Although the government has announced that recreational marijuana will
be legalized, the government expects existing laws to be followed in
the meantime, and is directing the police to enforce the existing
laws. "Chaos right now is the best word I can use to describe it,"
said Stetski. "Some municipalities are looking to licence outlets and
others are not. The thing that hurts us the most is the uncertainty."
He added that the NDP has been pushing the government to decriminalize
marijuana. "It should have happened a while ago, regardless how this
legalization moves forward."

Duggan said that many of her friends have recently gone to jail. "It's
appalling to be treated as criminals when we're not criminals."

Kozak explained that the City of Nelson allowed dispensaries to open,
anticipating the legalization to go through quickly. Recently, Nelson
put a bylaw into place capping the number of dispensaries at six. All
dispensaries will now have to apply to the City with a proposal for a
business licence, and the City will issue Temporary Use Permits.
"We're anticipating once the federal government legalizes it, we'll
repeal or modify our bylaw to be in compliance with federal
regulations," she said.

The final report of the federal government task force on marijuana
legalization, 'A Framework for the Legalization and Regulation of
Cannabis in Canada,' can be found online.
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MAP posted-by: Matt