Pubdate: Wed, 06 Dec 2017
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Copyright: 2017 The Globe and Mail Company
Contact:  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168
Author: Gary Mason
Page: A11

WHO KNEW LEGALIZING POT COULD BE SO COMPLICATED?

There's a reason provincial governments in this country are freaking
out about having to meet next summer's deadline for legalizing pot:
They're finding it a complete and utter nightmare.

There's so much to consider. Who can grow it? How will it be retailed
and marketed? What level of taxation will be applied? How will new
laws associated with a million and one different aspects of
legalization be enforced? Who covers those costs? What happens when
someone's dog dies after eating a neighbour's marijuana plant? And
that barely scratches the surface. "The scope of it is unbelievable,"
B.C. Solicitor-General Mike Farnworth said in a recent interview.

Mr. Farnworth is overseeing his province's efforts to comply with
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's July, 2018, target date for the legal
sale of recreational pot to commence. It's become a file demanding
virtually all of Mr. Farnworth's attention. On Tuesday, the B.C.
government announced progress on a few areas: The minimum age to
possess, purchase or consume cannabis will be 19; B.C. will have a
government-administered wholesale distribution model; and there will
be both public and private retail outlets.

In many respects, however, that's low-hanging fruit when it comes to
the challenges provincial governments face. The situation in B.C. is
further complicated by the fact there has been a thriving (illegal)
marijuana business in the province for years. In some remote areas,
it's become an important pillar of the economy.

"There are some existing producers who are best described as being in
a grey market," Mr. Farnworth said. "They are not involved with
organized crime but they do underpin a number of local economies. If
the goal is to get rid of the illegal black market, then it makes
sense to find a way to bring those people into legitimacy rather than
outlaw their involvement." Otherwise, they are likely to continue
serving their clients at prices that are lower than what are being
charged through the new, legalized regulatory system.

Mr. Farnworth has formed a working group that has been going full-out
since the summer. There has been extensive consultation with several
ministries that will be affected by the looming changes. He estimates
that at least 18 provincial statutes will have to be amended to
reflect marijuana's new status. Other laws will have to be written
from scratch. There have been extensive conversations with other
provinces to see what they are doing. Each will have a unique cannabis
regime.

That is likely to be the case on a municipal level as well. Cities
have a say in what pot sales look like inside their jurisdictions. The
Vancouver suburb of Richmond, for instance, has said it wants no
retail outlets at all. Then there are the questions of how it will all
be policed and who will pay for it. Those are questions several mayors
from cash-strapped small towns and cities have been asking. And then
there is the matter of enforcement: In terms of new rules and
regulations, will the province have authority, or will that be the
responsibility of local governments?

"People say, 'Let's legalize marijuana,' which is fine," Mr. Farnworth
said. "But there are so many ancillary consequences that flow from
that, ones that just don't pop to mind immediately but surface
eventually as you more fully explore the ramifications."

For instance, can a landlord say: "I'm going to rent you my property,
but you can't grow cannabis plants on it even though Ottawa says you
can cultivate up to four plants"? What does legalization mean for the
workplace and the rights of employers and employees? What rules will
there be around smoking pot in public? Should provinces and local
bodies treat it the same as cigarettes? Lobbyists already want
provinces to accommodate tourists looking for a safe place to smoke
up.

The B.C. government has also heard from veterinarians who are worried
about the health effects of marijuana on animals. Many say there has
not been enough research done. What if a dog ingests a cookie laced
with pot? Should marijuana treats for animals be available or only
dispensed for legitimately medical reasons? (To which I say: What kind
of person would want to get their animal stoned unless it was to deal
with some pain-related issue?)

We'll know the answers to many of these questions in about six months.
But rest assured, whatever laws are introduced, they are certain to be
challenged and amended. Legalizing marijuana may sound simple. In
fact, it's anything but.
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MAP posted-by: Matt