Doug Ford’s better idea for cannabis sales

With just two months to go before the nationwide legalization of recreational cannabis, the Ontario government has unveiled an intelligent plan for how it will be sold in Canada’s largest market.

Yes, there are some glitches in the impending retail system announced this week by Ontario Finance Minister Vic Fedeli and Attorney-General Caroline Mulroney. While there’s still time, Premier Doug Ford’s government should iron out the wrinkles.

Examined in its entirety, however, the Progressive Conservatives’ decision to have both private and public sectors handle pot sales is responsible, workable and a hands-down improvement over what the previous Liberal government had coming.

In keeping with their faith in big-government solutions, the Liberals intended to sell cannabis only at retail outlets operated by a subsidiary of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. That was a mistake.

Only a tiny number of publicly-run stores would have been open when cannabis prohibition ends on Oct. 17, and even two years from now the Liberals envisioned only 150 stores. That’s a ridiculously low number compared with the 872 community and agency LCBO stores selling beer, alcohol and wine, and there were legitimate fears the lack of access to legal pot would keep driving cannabis users to the black market.

But the Liberal government’s plan was also a disservice to consumers. It treated them like children who had to be kept in line by government nannies. And this government monopoly would have only added to the already unwieldy provincial bureaucracy.

In contrast, the new government’s plan to allow private retailers to sell cannabis will make it far easier for consumers to purchase a legal product and reduce temptation to continue buying an unregulated drug from criminals.

One of the pressures on — and concerns about — the provincial government’s plans is timing.

When recreational pot becomes legal, the only legitimate source for consumers will be to order it online from a newly-created provincial agency which will deliver the product through Canada Post. That agency, the Ontario Cannabis Store, will also be in charge of the wholesale distribution of cannabis to private retailers.

Unfortunately, the first private retail stores won’t open until next April 1 — close to half a year after recreational pot is legalized. That’s a weakness in the PCs’ plan. Rather than order online, many consumers might simply keep frequenting black-market suppliers, which is what the entire exercise in legalization is meant to stop.

The Progressive Conservatives have raised an additional roadblock to the private-sector retailers by handing municipal governments the one-time right to veto cannabis stores from opening in their community.

That may win Premier Ford applause for grassroots consultation. But it could also lead to a restrictive and patchwork retail system that, again, benefits the black market.

Moreover, in this municipal election year, many local governments might defer any decision until after the vote. Indeed, councils might take until early 2019 to make a call, which will make it harder for private retailers to be up and running in April. Should municipalities have to decide sooner?

Finally, there’s the government’s decision to ban consumption of recreational cannabis in public places. Users will be permitted to indulge only at private residences. That’s still treating adults like infants and would arguably be unfair to renters who may not be able to smoke cannabis where they reside. The premier should at least consider allowing consumption in commercial settings.

On balance, Ford is handling a difficult policy file very well. He still has time to consider ways to make it even better.