Atlantic premiers worry about marijuana supplies

Atlantic Canada’s premiers say they are worried about obtaining an adequate supply of weed as they prepare to meet Ottawa’s July 1 deadline for legalized marijuana.

The four premiers called on the federal government to expedite the licensing of suppliers following a meeting of the Council of Atlantic Premiers Monday in Halifax.

Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil made it clear that ensuring an adequate supply is Ottawa’s responsibility.

“It’s their timeline, their permitting — it’s their responsibility to ensure the supply is here,” said McNeil. “What we’re going to do is to make that we’re going to meet our commitments in terms of making sure this product becomes legal.”

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Dwight Ball said although his province inked its first production agreement last week, that alone won’t make product available until 2019.

Prince Edward Island Premier Wade MacLauchlan said ensuring supply is key given the current risks associated with many illegal and illicit drugs across North America.

“It’s absolutely critical right now ... that the cannabis people buy from our four governments is going to be of reliable quality. That it’s not going to be crooked, or poison, or kill you — that is a huge public health issue right now.”

Nova Scotia first voiced its concerns about supply last week, after it announced it would set the legal age at 19 and sell pot alongside alcohol in provincial liquor commission stores.

The province said its preference is to use Nova Scotia production facilities, although only two have so far received approval from Health Canada to grow pot and they still aren’t licensed to sell.

McNeil warned about the black market that could fill any gap: “Not only does the price matter, if we can’t supply it (pot) someone else will.”

The premiers said the four provinces would try to come up with a common price per gram.