Province won’t push pot

P.E.I. has no plans to advertise cannabis products following legalization

Finance Minister Allen Roach says the province will not advertise legal cannabis, but will launch an education campaign on how it will be rolled out.

Richard Brown, MLA for Charlottetown-Victoria Park, posed the question in legislature Thursday.

“As we move closer to the federal government’s deadline for legalizing cannabis, there has been a lot concerns brought to my attention by my constituents in my area.”

Brown said he has never supported advertising when it comes to gambling, alcohol or cigarettes, and wanted to know how the province plans to handle advertising when it comes to cannabis following the legalization of it next year.

“There has been a lot of concern about the advertising, and the Canadian Public Health Association wants a complete ban on advertising for cannabis. Can the minister tell us what is going on in the federal government in terms of advertising for cannabis?”

Roach says the province has no plans to advertise cannabis products.

“We stand very strong on that,” said Roach.

Roach says the province plans to engage in a comprehensive public awareness campaign in January “to ensure that Islanders are aware of all that is taking place” and to educate them so “they are able to make informed choices on Prince Edward Island.”