The B.C. government will consult the public on aspects of marijuana legalization that fall under the provinceB次元官网网址檚 control, Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth announced Monday.
From now until Nov. 1, people can go to to voice their opinions on how the government can keep B次元官网网址測oung people, neighbourhoods and roads safeB次元官网网址� once the drug becomes legal next year.
ItB次元官网网址檚 up to the provinces and territories to decide how to regulate the distribution and retail sales of marijuana, as well as how to enforce marijuana impairment on the road.
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B次元官网网址淲e are doing everything we can to make sure we meet the July timeline,B次元官网网址� Farnworth told reporters, referring to when Ottawa is expected to change the law. The results of this public consultation wonB次元官网网址檛 be available until the spring.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a tight timeline. WeB次元官网网址檝e asked for more timeB次元官网网址� IB次元官网网址檇 like to have more time, but every statement weB次元官网网址檝e heard from the feds says no, July is the date.B次元官网网址�
He emphasized the importance of giving municipalities a chance to be heard.
B次元官网网址淥ne size does not fit all,B次元官网网址� said Farnworth, noting the opinions of cities outside of the Lower Mainland are often overlooked when senior governments implement new policies.
B次元官网网址淭his is not about bringing in a revenue stream for the province,B次元官网网址� he added. B次元官网网址淚f thatB次元官网网址檚 how provinces are approaching it, theyB次元官网网址檙e making a big mistake.B次元官网网址�
Farnworth, who visited Washington State and Oregon with Finance Minister Carol James to learn about experiences there, said both states were emphatic about how much money legalization will cost long before it brings in any cash.
Vancouver city councillor Kerry Jang, who was also at the announcement, concurred.
B次元官网网址淓ven Colorado and Washington have been lowering their [marijuana] tax rates because although theyB次元官网网址檙e getting money, it doesnB次元官网网址檛 matter; thereB次元官网网址檚 still a black market,B次元官网网址� said Jang. B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檙e not achieving your public health goals.B次元官网网址�
No agreement has been made yet, Farnworth added, for revenue sharing between federal, provincial and municipal governments.
On a one size fits all model, from
B次元官网网址� Kat (@katslepian)
