Last month, the government of Ontario passed the Cannabis Act. It gives the province a monopoly on the sale of recreational marijuana through an estimated 150 stand alone stores to be run by the new Ontario Cannabis Retail Corporation. While the new law piggybacks on the federal decision to legalize recreational marijuana this summer, as well as a new federal-provincial revenue sharing agreement that will give the provinces and territories 75 per cent of federal marijuana revues, it has not been without controversy. In the Ontario Legislature, 27 Progressive Conservatives opposed the law, citing concerns from police associations that more financial support is required for law enforcement. While the NDP supported the law, some of its MPPs expressed concerns about the uncertainty of revenues to be provided to municipalities, as well as the small number of store fronts (40) to be opened this summer, which they see as inadequate to put a dent in the existing black market. [continues 446 words]
One year ago this month, I wrote in this space about the likely financial impact on the City of Peterborough of the federal government's decision to legalize marijuana next July. That same month, four Peterborough city councillors - Dean Pappas, Don Vassiliadis, Lesley Parnell and Keith Riel - attended the Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference where the legalization of marijuana and its impact on cities had been a key focus. I offered the urging that, on their return, these councillors make the public case that cities like ours should be parties to the change; that the city should invite the federal Task Force to meet with municipal staff, councillors and the community; and that the councillors exercise some political muscle so that we could secure funding for the new marijuana costs that will undoubtedly come our way. No action was taken. [continues 460 words]
On April 20, 2016, Canadian Minister of Health Jane Philpott told a special session of the UN General Assembly in New York that Canada would introduce legislation in the spring of 2017 to legalize the use of marijuana. The date of her announcement was 4/20 - the day that has become synonymous with international cannabis advocacy. This 4/20 was actually the afternoon time that a group of adventurous 1970's California high school students would meet to fire up, and the nomenclature stuck. [continues 529 words]
