Proposal to legalize marijuana confronts Ontario with tricky choices

Ontario has lots of decisions to make as feds legalize marijuana. These include what form sales and distribution of the product will take and at what age people will be allowed to smoke it.

Thestar.com
April 13, 2017
By Rob Ferguson

Ontario has “lots of work ahead,” now that the federal government has come forward with a long-awaited proposal to legalize marijuana for those 18 and older, says Attorney General Yasir Naqvi.

The province must decide on a sales network, age of majority for purchases, measures to protect youth, how to keep roads safe and it must inform citizens about the dangers of pot.

“We have not made any of those decisions yet,” Naqvi told reporters Thursday, acknowledging he has “never used” marijuana.

“This is still a product that is not healthy and we have to be very mindful of it,” added Naqvi, a lawyer by training.

“Social responsibility is going to be a very important aspect of our deliberation. Just like alcohol and tobacco, even though they’re legal, we know they’re products with harmful consequences and we spend a lot of time and resources in getting that message across.

“Cannabis is not going to be any different.”

A major issue to settle will be whether Ontario, where the legal drinking age is 19, will use the federal marijuana age limit of 18.

When asked if the LCBO would be involved in retail or distribution of marijuana, Ontario Finance Minister Charles Sousa said the province is looking at “various options” for sales.

“The model is something that we’ve obviously been using for spirits, wine, and beer and we have a social (responsibility) component in that model as well so . . . we’ll take a look.”

“I know there’s a call for a number of others that are looking to foster distribution, but we haven’t made any decisions yet,” he added.

A federal panel has recommended against selling pot in the same locations as alcohol, but Premier Kathleen Wynne has left the door open to government-owned marijuana shops.

Previously, Sousa has hinted the dozens of marijuana dispensaries, including many raided by police, will not be part of a sales network under the proposed federal law, expected to take effect next year.

“They shouldn’t be there in the first place because they’re illegal,” Sousa said last month.

Naqvi repeated the finance minister’s assertions that Ontario is not counting on cannabis taxes becoming a cash cow for the treasury to meet the need for extra health, social and road safety programs.

“This is not going to be a big windfall ... We expect a lot of those revenues that are generated will be re-invested back, making sure our roads are safe. That’s what Ontarians expect.”

The province’s strategy will focus on “responsible use” of marijuana, Naqvi added, but he would not say if there will be purchase limits or caps on the strength of cannabis young adults can purchase. (One concern is the brains of young adults are still developing and the effect of smoking marijuana on this development may be harmful.)

Health Minister Eric Hoskins, a family doctor, said brain issues make cannabis risks higher for young people, which must be reflected in public education campaigns before the new federal law takes effect.

Adults also need to know that health problems resulting from cannabis smoking are similar to those from smoking tobacco.

“There is a risk, for example, of developing lung cancer with heavy and chronic long-term use,” Hoskins said.

But the health minister said he doesn’t see a mixed message in the federal government’s legalization of marijuana and the years of public health campaigns aimed at getting millions of Canadians to quit smoking.

“We’ve made tremendous successes in terms of reducing the rate of smoking, but I think we’re talking about two different things ... in terms of the motivation, perhaps, of an individual, or the benefit an individual might obtain from one substance compared to the other,” he explained.

“Our anti-smoking measures will continue.”