The federal government has set ambitious timelines for legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada and the province is determined to meet the deadlines.
With that in mind, Minister of Justice Kathleen Ganley introduced a new online survey last week for Albertans to fill out to provide input and direction on how the provincial government will undertake the process of legalization for July 1, 2018.
“That gives us just over a year to develop a plan that reflects the values of Albertans,” Ganley said during a press conference. “We have a lot of work ahead of us and important decisions to make. We will create a framework that will help us adapt to the federal decision to legalize cannabis.”
The survey gives Albertans, including residents of the Bow Valley over the age of 17, the ability to provide input into issues like distribution and sales, legal age, as well as express concerns around things like exposure to second hand smoke, impaired driving and workplace safety.
“We want to hear thoughts about where consumption can take place and under what conditions,” Ganley said. “This is an important issue for our province and I would encourage everyone to provide input.”
The survey is available until July 31 at www.alberta.ca/cannabis, along with more information about the process.
In April, the federal government tabled proposed legislation to legalize, regulate and restrict access to cannabis.
The feedback process will also involve sector-specific meetings with stakeholders such as unions, law enforcement, employers, youth and health care. But there is also tourism to consider when it comes to legalization of marijuana.
While a spokesperson from the minister’s office was not available for an interview with the Outlook, press secretary Veronica Jubinville provided a written statement with respect to how tourism-related issues would be considered.
“We just launched our new website (www.alberta.ca/cannabis) and online survey last week, so Albertans can have their say on how legalizing cannabis will impact our province,” Jubinville wrote.
“The website also gives organizations – including those within the tourism industry – an opportunity to provide written submissions, which will be incorporated into our engagement process and considered as part of our policy development later in the fall. To ensure we have a wide variety of views, we will also be engaging with stakeholders and groups in several other ways. These methods include stakeholder roundtable meetings, sector specific meetings, and surveys at public events across Alberta.”
When it comes to medicinal marijuana, Ganley said during the press conference that federal direction has been to keep recreational use and medicinal use as separate streams for a minimum of five years.
“Presently (medicinal marijuana) is entirely federal and will continue to be resulted in that way,” she said.
