Ottawa’s plan to legalize marijuana in 2018 could test provincial patience

Some provinces, such as Saskatchewan and Manitoba, are concerned about how the new legislation will impact law enforcement.

Thestar.com
March 28, 2017

The complex task of legalizing marijuana in Canada looks poised to become the latest bone of contention between some of the provinces and the federal government.

A number of provincial governments have expressed concern in the wake of signals that federal legislation to legalize pot will be introduced the week of April 10.

Saskatchewan says Ottawa has offered “nothing” in the way of a pan-Canadian approach on regulations, prompting fears of a patchwork of rules and insurmountable law enforcement challenges.

The province says it is concerned about public safety and significant increases in enforcement costs - a tab it expects Ottawa to pick up in full.

Manitoba says there will be numerous challenges to address, although it has been preparing for the changes through extensive research and consultation.

Not all the provinces are apprehensive, however: Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard says he doesn’t see the effort to legalize pot as complicating federal-provincial relations.

Bruce Linton, the CEO of Canada’s largest marijuana producer Canopy Growth Corp., says Ontario, New Brunswick and Alberta all seem keen to prepare for a new era of legal recreational marijuana.