Hoops remain for pot legalization
Bill C-45 headed back to Senate
It’s another step forward. But many more will be needed before Canadians can legally buy recreational marijuana.
Canada’s Senate gave its approval this week to a government bill that would end 95 years of prohibition. But it added close to 50 amendments, which the federal Liberal government has reduced.
Now, observers say, it’s hard to predict how long that process may take. With MPs rejecting many of the changes, Bill C-45 is headed back to the Senate for further debates.
Retailers are ready to proceed, says Dr. Ife Abiola, medical director for the 420 Clinic in Lethbridge. His company — Four20 Premium Market — is one of many preparing to enter the recreational marijuana market.
But it’s not just federal laws they’ll have to follow, he points out.
“Every municipality may have different bylaws and restrictions.”
In Lethbridge, issues including licences and location are still being decided.
Every province may have different regulations as well, Abiola says.
Alberta has been one of the first to proceed, he says, following the federal government’s lead. Some other provinces seem to be opposing some of Ottawa’s legalization plans.
“We applaud the Alberta government for writing the law and sticking to it.”
Alberta now has more medical marijuana patients than British Columbia, he says. But Abiola expects that number may fall once the federal laws have been passed and proclaimed.
While that will likely trigger a number of companies to open retail outlets, he says medical-use customers will still be able to obtain professional service at 420 Clinics in Lethbridge and Calgary.
“We will still offer counselling and guidance.”
Back in Ottawa, one of the Senate’s more contentious amendments may be one exempting provinces like Manitoba and Quebec from regulations allowing Canadians to grow up to four marijuana plants per dwelling for their own use.
Another amendment would allow parents to share a joint with their teens, just as they can with alcohol.
Once the legalization bill is passed in its final form, Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor says provinces may take two or three months to complete their regulations and issue licences before retail locations open.