Pubdate: Sat, 28 Oct 2017
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2017 Times Colonist
Contact:  http://www.timescolonist.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Gemma Karstens-Smith
Page: A4

VIEW ROYAL AMONG LOCAL GOVERNMENTS SEEKING A CUT OF MARIJUANA REVENUES

VANCOUVER - Police departments and local governments are asking
British Columbia for a cut of marijuana revenues as the province
crafts regulations for legalized pot.

The provincial government asked for public input last month as it
develops new rules. Submissions are posted online and will be accepted
until Wednesday.

Feedback so far includes recommendations from View Royal and Port
Coquitlam for pot profits to be directed to municipalities to address
costs associated with enforcement.

The British Columbia Association of Municipal Chiefs of Police echoes
that recommendation, saying in its submission that the "cost download"
of enforcement needs to be considered when a revenue-sharing system is
developed.

The association also wants the province to deal with drug-impaired
driving the same way as drunk driving.

Police chiefs say the public must have "reasonable access to legal
cannabis" or consumers will turn to the black market.

Several existing marijuana producers, retailers and interest groups
have weighed in with ideas on how cannabis should be sold in B.C.
Several want to be included in the rules.

Buddha Barn, a licensed cannabis retailer in Vancouver, says allowing
existing marijuana retailers a way to participate in the recreational
marijuana marketplace is "the only way to avoid chaos."

Marijuana-related businesses are also urging the province to tread
carefully when it comes to strict rules around the advertising and
branding of recreational pot.

"Movements to codify plain packaging must be avoided completely as
they will hobble the ability of legal producers to properly compete
against the illicit market," says Tilray, a licensed medicinal
marijuana producer based in Nanaimo.

Some provinces have released details on how they plan to approach
legalized recreational marijuana.

New Brunswick will sell pot through a subsidiary of its liquor
commission, with knowledgeable staff available to guide customers.

Ontario will set the minimum age at 19 and sell cannabis through
government-run outlets, while Alberta has proposed to make 18 the
minimum age to use cannabis. It has yet to announce whether pot will
be sold through government-run stores or private operators.

The Nova Scotia government is seeking feedback on a legal age of 19,
with sales through a Crown corporation such as the Nova Scotia Liquor
Corp.

The federal government is expected to legalize recreational marijuana
in July 2018, although some provinces, territories and police agencies
have lobbied for a delay. Federal Health Minister Ginette Petitpas
Taylor has said the government is sticking to its deadline.

The B.C. government is expected to release a report on public input in
December.

* Submissions can be made until 4 p.m. on Nov. 1 at
engage.gov.bc.ca/BCcannabisregulation .

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[sidebar]

What They Want

Some of the submissions so far:

- - British Columbia Independent Cannabis Association: Wants private 
distribution and retail as well as cannabis lounges to keep "widespread 
consumption off the street."

- - B.C. Real Estate Association: Concerned about properties used for drug 
production and is recommending a registration requirement for those with 
personal cultivation.

- - B.C. Trucking Association: Supports regulations that allow employers 
in "safety sensitive" businesses to conduct random workplace drug and 
alcohol testing.

- - Centre for Addictions Research of B.C.: Cannabis should be sold in
government-controlled stores and include labels that show the
percentage of THC, the active compound in marijuana. Ten per cent or
more of the revenue collected from cannabis sales should be spent on
health promotion, education, research and treatment.

- - School District 42, covering Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows: Anyone 
under 19 should be banned from possessing cannabis, even if simple 
possession of small amounts isn't considered a criminal offence. Wants 
"significant amount" of proceeds from the sale of cannabis directed 
toward additional enforcement and education.
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MAP posted-by: Matt