No need to rush marijuana law

EDITORIAL: WHAT OTHERS THINK

private retailers — like the ones running Ontario’s Beer Stores? It may be impossible to get these outlets in place with trained staff and an established supply change within 11 months.

Meanwhile, what will the price be and who will set it? If a gram of pot costs too much at a governmentauthorized store, black-market criminals will be ready with a cutrate product. The same danger exists regarding government taxation. But can Ottawa and the provinces agree on appropriate tax rates by next July?

Meanwhile, the provinces will be responsible for deciding the age at which people will be allowed to use recreational pot. But what will that age be, especially considering that the medical community has warned cannabis can harm developing teenage brains? And shouldn’t the age be consistent across Canada?

The provinces also have a major role to play in keeping drugimpaired drivers off the roadways. But many premiers reasonably wonder if an accurate system for testing drivers can be implemented in time for Trudeau’s deadline.

It’s understandable that after being hammered for breaking election promises on democratic reform and the size of federal deficits Trudeau would be adamant about keeping this one. But he could delay the implementation date by a year or more and still have marijuana legalized by the 2019 general election.

Finally, while that law is coming, Trudeau should consider decriminalizing pot for individual users. It is pointless to continue arresting people who use a substance Ottawa is in the process of legalizing.

An editorial from the Hamilton Spectator (distributed by The Canadian Press)