The B.C. government will consult the public on aspects of marijuana legalization that fall under the provinceās 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 āyoung people, neighbourhoods and roads safeā once the drug becomes legal next year.
Itās 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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āWe are doing everything we can to make sure we meet the July timeline,ā Farnworth told reporters, referring to when Ottawa is expected to change the law. The results of this public consultation wonāt be available until the spring.
āItās a tight timeline. Weāve asked for more timeā¦ Iād like to have more time, but every statement weāve heard from the feds says no, July is the date.ā
He emphasized the importance of giving municipalities a chance to be heard.
āOne size does not fit all,ā said Farnworth, noting the opinions of cities outside of the Lower Mainland are often overlooked when senior governments implement new policies.
āThis is not about bringing in a revenue stream for the province,ā he added. āIf thatās how provinces are approaching it, theyāre making a big mistake.ā
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.
āEven Colorado and Washington have been lowering their [marijuana] tax rates because although theyāre getting money, it doesnāt matter; thereās still a black market,ā said Jang. āYouāre not achieving your public health goals.ā
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
ā Kat (@katslepian)
