Province wants input on sale of recreational marijuana

SASKATOON The provincial government is asking residents for feedback on how it should distribute recreational marijuana.

The consultations, which will happen in the form of an online, anonymous survey, were announced the same day the Ontario government rolled out its plan to have a new branch of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario handle its sale of recreational marijuana.

The survey will address age limits on cannabis sales, public consumption, cannabis taxation and other issues, including potential retail models, alongside questions about distribution and wholesaling. A news release from the province said information collected through the survey will provide “valuable information to help guide Saskatchewan’s ongoing approach to cannabis legalization.”

At an event with Ontario Finance Minister Charles Sousa, Attorney General Yasir Naqvi and Health Minister Eric Hoskins, the eastern province said the stores will sell marijuana with the “same socially responsible retailing standards that apply to alcohol, as well as additional federal requirements,” according to the Ottawa Citizen.

Don Morgan, Saskatchewan’s Attorney General and Justice Minister, was quoted in a news release saying “legalization of cannabis represents a big change ... We want to take the time to listen to and consult with the people of this province to ensure we implement the parts of this legislation that are under our control in a way that works for Saskatchewan.”

Survey respondents must be 18 years old. The survey can be found on the Government of Saskatchewan’s website.

The federal government plans to have a legalized marijuana system in place by June 2018.