Manitoba won’t follow Ontario cannabis model

WINNIPEG — Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister is dropping strong hints that the private sector will be involved in the distribution of marijuana when recreational use is legalized next year.

Pallister says private businesses are the ones that can best compete with the existing black market in terms of selection, service and price. Details of the government’s cannabis plan will be released tomorrow.

Pallister says he wants to ensure the product is safe, kept out of the hands of children, and organized crime loses its grip on marijuana sales. The Progressive Conservative premier said Manitoba will not follow Ontario’s example, which will establish standalone government-run stores offering a set price.

The Manitoba Government and General Employees Union has called on the province to sell through the public sector, where it says retail workers can be fully trained on responsible sales.