Pubdate: Fri, 12 Jan 2018
Source: Yukon News (CN YK)
Copyright: 2018 Yukon News
Contact:   http://www.yukon-news.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1125
Author: Ashley Joannou

YUKON GOVERNMENT PROVIDES MORE DETAILS ON ITS PROPOSED POT RULES

Police will be able to throw stoners in the drunk tank, under proposed
rules

Even though private retail rules aren't expected to be ready in time
for cannabis legalization this summer, the Yukon government provided a
first look at what the new licencing rules could eventually look like
for privately-run stores.

The territorial government released a summary of its proposed draft
legislation Jan. 11. The paperwork provides a few more details about
how cannabis could be managed when it is legalized.

The public has until Feb. 12 to comment. The government is expected to
table the Cannabis Control and Regulation Act in March.

The government is proposing that the Yukon Liquor Corporation be
responsible for distribution. A new corporation could be created in
the future.

The corporation would be responsible for the purchase and import of
cannabis that would be distributed to both public and eventually
private retail outlets.

For now, the government will operate the only cannabis store in the
territory as well as an online option.

There's no timeline for when private businesses might be able to open
their doors, said Patricia Randell, the government's director of
cannabis implementation and education.

A five-member licensing board would be responsible for granting
licenses. The board would consider the number and type of licences
already in the area, the population of the area, economic benefits,
the premises, the views of the people in the area as well as the the
"financial character and legal history of the applicant," according to
the government's document.

As for where cannabis can be consumed, the proposal is that be
restricted to private residences and adjoining property.

"We believe that allowing the consumption of cannabis, smoking in
particular, on the streets and in our parks is not in the best
interest of the health and well being of young people," said health
minister Pauline Frost.

Frost said the government will keep an eye on health research and
consider changing or adapting the proposed act and regulations if necessary.

As for renters, under the proposed rules landlords would have the
option, as they do with cigarettes, to restrict smoking on their property.

"In most cases landlords are in a position to restrict activities like
that, that have an impact upon their property," said deputy justice
minister Lesley McCullough.

In some cases a landlord might be legally required to accommodate
someone's cannabis use, such as in cases where the Yukon Human Rights
Act might apply, she said.

Condominiums could have bylaws that prohibit consumption.

Following the announcement, cabinet spokesperson Janine Workman
confirmed that while it will be at the landlord's discretion to allow
smoking, "other forms of consumption, such as eating or drinking will
be the choice of the individual tenant."

The federal government will first be legalizing dried and fresh
cannabis as well as oils. Ottawa "has indicated that within six months
to a year they will be looking at edibles and concentrates," said Randell.

Under the proposed Yukon rules, no one could consume cannabis "by
inhaling smoke or vapour in an enclosed space that is a daycare,
pre-school or other licensed child care home, whether or not children
are present," according to the government's draft.

Nursing homes or other specified health care facilities will have
designated areas for consumption.

The act does not apply to the sale, distribution, purchase,
possession, consumption or cultivation of cannabis for medical
purposes as authorized by federal legislation, the government says.

But certain proposed rules, like not being able to smoke or vape in
the presence of a health care worker, would apply to medical cannabis.

No one could possess cannabis in a vehicle unless it is in a closed
container and is inaccessible to all people in the vehicle.

Officers would be able to take an intoxicated person into custody
without laying any charges, similar to what happens with alcohol.

"It begins with that they're a danger to themselves or others. This is
a no-charge arrest so they were taken in for the protection of
themselves," said Al Lucier with the Department of Justice.

"If it's a young person certainly their parents will be contacted and
every effort will be made, as it is now, to turn that individual over
to a responsible person."

Anyone ordering cannabis through the territory's planned online option
will have it delivered to them by someone who can confirm their age,
the government says.

Yukoners won't be able to legally order cannabis from other
jurisdictions.

The legislation sets out that the only authority for distribution of
cannabis in the territory will be the corporation.

"Which means that others can't distribute into the territory without
it being done through the corporation," Lucier said.

Some specifics of the territory's plans still haven't been laid out.
There's no decision yet on how much cannabis might cost in the
territory, Randell said. Specific penalties for breaking the law also
haven't been decided.

Decisions haven't been made yet regarding where private cannabis shops
could be located or any rules those businesses might have to follow
regarding advertising.

The City of Whitehorse is considering a bylaw change that would limit
shops to the Marwell neighbourhood but has said it could expand to
other locations once private stores are an option.

A full breakdown of the government's proposal, and details about how
to submit comments is available online at engageyukon.ca/cannabis

For its part the official Opposition says it is still reviewing the
document. In a statement, the Yukon Party said it will be looking at
the tax level, if enforcement is adequate and whether the Yukon's
rules do enough to support the private sector.
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MAP posted-by: Matt