Pubdate: Tue, 21 Nov 2017 Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB) Copyright: 2017 Postmedia Network Contact: http://www.calgaryherald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66 Author: Rob Breakenridge Page: A9 WHEN IT COMES TO REGULATING LEGAL POT, ALBERTA GETS IT MOSTLY RIGHT Occasionally, Alberta's NDP government manages to demonstrate that it is capable of balance and pragmatism. Unfortunately, that also underscores the frustration of so frequently seeing them do the opposite. In preparing for legalized cannabis, the NDP must have been awfully tempted to follow the advice of their friends in the labour movement and build a network of government-built and government-operated retail outlets. But other than a pre-existing ideological bent, there really wasn't a case to be made for such an approach. The costs would be considerable, and there would not necessarily be any corresponding payoff in terms of better outcomes. Moreover, it would simply delay the rollout of legalized cannabis and prove to be a gift to the black market. Unfortunately, other provinces are eyeing such an approach, which might have given the Notley government some additional political cover had they opted for the same route. Fortunately, they did not. And give credit where credit is due: they got this mostly right. First and foremost, the retail sale of cannabis is going to be left to the private sector. While it happens to be the most logical option, it was an open question whether the NDP would embrace it. The private sector is best positioned to respond quickly to legalization and to ensure that stores are ready to go come July 1, 2018, to meet the demand. Furthermore, while this is not exactly going to rescue Alberta's ailing economy, it will provide a jolt. The industry is considerable, and bringing it on board - with all the legitimate jobs and investment it will create - will provide a much-needed economic boost. That must have provided an even more compelling political temptation for the government. However, the Alberta government has opted to keep a corner of the market for themselves. The online retail of cannabis, at least for now, will be handled strictly through government-run websites. As to where the supply will come from - or who will handle the delivery - that remains unclear. It's also unclear what happens to the established licensed producers who are currently supplying medicinal users though online sales. It's unclear why those established licensed producers couldn't simply provide the online sales component of the legal market. The Alberta government has argued that there could be concerns over age verification, but it may simply come down to dollars and cents. For as much as the black market has figured out how to make cannabis profitable, and undoubtedly the private sector will too, this is apparently a difficult proposition for the government. Online sales could potentially be lucrative. Justice Minister Kathleen Ganley bluntly declared last week that they're "projecting that this will cost the province considerably more than it will take in at this time, so there isn't going to be a lot of revenue to go around." This is concerning. While there will no doubt be some upfront costs in establishing new regulations, there's obviously going to be revenue coming in from licence applications and marijuana taxes. While Ganley cites potential costs associated with law enforcement and health care, that doesn't add up either. If anything, we'll end up saving money on law enforcement costs with the end of prohibition. Additionally, whatever healthcare costs are associated with marijuana use, we largely have those already. Moreover, there's reason to believe that legalized cannabis could lead to reduced consumption of alcohol or other drugs such as opioids. Given the tremendous health-care costs of the abuse of these other drugs, we could possibly realize savings in health care, too. But if the objection to the government's plan is mere quibbling with their analysis of the financial or social impact of legalization, then perhaps that's an indication that its flaws are minimal. It's quite likely that no jurisdiction will get it exactly right on the first try. Alberta, though, appears to be getting the big things right, and leaving room to adjust as needed in other areas. This is encouraging. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt