Canada’s premiers discuss delaying the legalization of marijuana
Details such as traffic safety, age of majority and health impacts need to be better understood, Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister says.

thestar.com
By ROB FERGUSON
July 18, 2017

It’s time to take a deep breath and put pot on the back burner for an extra year, says Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister.

He’s trying to persuade his provincial and territorial counterparts at their annual conference to ask Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to delay the legalization of cannabis 12 months to July 1, 2019.

That would increase the chances of avoiding the “hodge-podge” of different provincial ages of majority and regulations now seen with beer, wine and spirits, Pallister said Tuesday.

“I would hope we could learn from that and not re-create that for cannabis,” he added, acknowledging age of majority and regulations such as where pot will be sold are under provincial jurisdiction.

Pallister also raised concerns about public and traffic safety, health impacts and more, including ways of measuring cannabis impairment for drivers.

“There are too many unanswered questions, too many issues that have not been addressed for us to rush into what is an historic change.”

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall said his province is working toward the deadline of Canada Day next year but wouldn’t mind an extension because there are “a lot of moving parts” in legalizing cannabis.

“Could we have greater continuity in this? It would be desirable but hard to pull off in a short period of time,” Wall told reporters.

“We don’t have continuity...in terms of liquor laws obviously every province is a different place. Just consider the age piece.”

Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil said the small size of the Maritime provinces makes it important for them to be on the same page, although his administration believes it can meet the July 1 deadline next year.

“In Atlantic Canada, there needs to be a uniform age, there needs to be uniform regulations across our respective provinces. I believe that could potentially lead to, perhaps, across the country.”

McNeil said 19 “makes sense” as the age of majority for buying marijuana - the same age his province has set for alcohol.

Ontario isn’t counting on an extension as it conducts public consultations on cannabis in advance of next July’s deadline.

But Premier Kathleen Wynne admitted work is still being done to develop policies on public and traffic safety and protecting the health of youth with legalized cannabis - along with where it will be sold.

“Those questions have not been answered. That’s the work that we have to do now in conjunction with the federal government.”

Speaking for Quebec, Premier Philippe Couillard said a delay would be “fine” but he isn’t expecting one.

“We’ve heard the prime minister say he was very firm on July 1...so we’re working under the assumption that this will be the date. A lot of work needs to be done.”

Pallister said some of that work involves stronger campaigns to make driving under the influence of cannabis as socially unacceptable as drinking and driving has become.

“Attitudes have to change. Attitudes take time to change and it takes a strong, focused campaign for young people to help them understand the dangers. And not exclusively young people,” he added.

“I don’t think it has been properly or fully addressed.”