Pubdate: Thu, 22 Jun 2017
Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB)
Copyright: 2017 Winnipeg Free Press
Contact: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/send_a_letter
Website: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502
Page: A6

PROVINCES CAN'T 'JUST SAY NO' TO LEGALIZED POT

SOME Manitobans might not like it, but at least this province now
knows where it stands with its request for an extension of the date
when marijuana will be legalized. There will be no extension. Ready or
not, Manitobans - like all Canadians - can legally light up on July 1,
2018.

Finance Minister Cameron Friesen spoke out this week after returning
from a two-day summit of his provincial and federal colleagues,
frustrated that his request for a deadline extension was denied by
federal finance minister Bill Morneau.

Mr. Friesen's pitch for an extension was understandable, even
admirable, in motivation. It's the province and the city that get
stuck with implementing the federal Liberals' campaign promise to
legalize pot. The legal, health and social issues surrounding a
recreational drug with narcotic properties are complex and important.
Manitoba can't be blamed for wanting more time. As Mr. Friesen has
repeatedly said on this issue, "We only get one chance to do this right."

Here is a sample of issues the province and city now face: will
marijuana be sold in government liquor stores, or in stand-alone
dispensaries?

Will bars and other licenced premises such as Bell MTS Place and
Investors Group Field be able to sell edible marijuana? Where will
Manitoba sellers get their product wholesale? Will marijuana sellers
be able to advertise their product to encourage consumption, or will
it be sold such as tobacco, out of sight in stores? How will the price
be set and how will it be taxed? After the product is legal and
backyard gardeners can grow their own, how will the authorities police
black-market sales? How will police test drivers for drugged driving
in a way that's reliable enough to stand up in court? What will be the
legal age limit for buying marijuana, given the medical research that
shows marijuana can permanently damage teenage brains that are not yet
fully developed?

Providing sound solutions to this blitz of important issues is nothing
the Pallister government asked for, yet, unfortunately, they have no
choice. There is no wiggle room on the deadline. That was made
abundantly clear when the federal government told Mr. Friesen it's
prepared to roll out mail-order marijuana if Manitoba can't update its
laws in time.

Faced with an intimidatingly large to-do list on this file, the
province can take consolation on two fronts.

First, Manitoba isn't alone. In the U.S., seven states and the
District of Columbia have in recent years adopted expansive laws
legalizing marijuana for recreational use; Manitoba can learn from
their extensive research and experience.

Other Canadian provinces are also trying to cope with the fallout from
the federal decision to legalize it and perhaps it would be prudent
for Manitoba to work with other provinces, especially neighbours
Saskatchewan and Ontario, to ensure harmony in some areas, such as
taxation.

Second, Manitoba should recognize that its measures governing the
brave new world of legalized marijuana can evolve after deadline.
Nothing will be set in stone on July 1, 2018. The legal controls and
social use of other controlled substances often change. Remember when
tobacco smoking was allowed in public places, including on airplanes?
Remember how, prior to 1975, Manitoba women were not allowed to sell
and serve alcohol?

Marijuana users say the drug provides them a feeling of relaxation.
It's a sure bet that, for the provincial government, the issue of
marijuana is anything but relaxing. But it's important to realize
Manitoba can adopt best practices from other jurisdictions to meet the
deadline and, as the years go on, fine tune the measures to meet
Manitoba's specific needs.

A prominent anti-drug advertising campaign used to urge young people
to "just say no." Unfortunately for the Pallister government, as it
implements another level of government's legalization promise, just
saying no isn't an option.
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MAP posted-by: Matt