CANNABIS ROLLOUT
With legalization months away, the provinces are looking to Ottawa for more help
SAINT ANDREWS, N.B. — With legalization only a few months away, the provinces are looking to Ottawa to “step up” when it comes to raising awareness about the dangers of cannabis.
At a meeting of the 13 premiers that ended Friday at a picturesque resort on Canada’s east coast, the provincial and territorial leaders talked about U.S.Canada trade relations, internal trade, health care, and “there were certainly lots of discussions that were had in terms of what needs to be done” regarding cannabis, said New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant.
“One of the things that I think really resonated with the conversations, and people got quite passionate about, is the need to ensure that we have a robust awareness program, and we need the federal government to step up in that regard,” he said, flanked by his colleagues from across the country.
“The legalization of cannabis by the federal government does not mean that cannabis is good for you.”
He said the provinces need more resources from Ottawa to promote public awareness of health issues — especially for youth — and the rules around the use of cannabis before it becomes legal on Oct. 17.
“We have to remember that the goals that have been laid out by the federal government … is to get cannabis out of the hands of our youth and the proceeds out of the hands of criminals,” Gallant said, “and that has to be of the utmost importance.”
While the provinces want to ensure “the smoothest transition possible,” Gallant warned there will be “some hiccups” with the cannabis rollout.
“We’ve got to do the best we can to prepare, to minimize and mitigate those challenges,” he said, “but there will be challenges, and the best thing we can do is have the federal government have a robust awareness program and enhance the efforts that they’ve put in so far.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said his “No. 1 concern is making sure our children are safe. My
No. 1 concern is to tell and educate our children that smoking cannabis is not healthy, it’s not good.”
He said the province will consult with police and associations for their input.
The provinces say they have developed distribution, retail and oversight plans under “very tight federal timelines,” and are asking the federal government to provide funding for the costs of enforcing drug-impaired driving prohibitions and to expedite the approval of “oral fluid screening devices.”
They are also asking Ottawa to respect provincial decisions regarding limits on home cultivation.
The three-day meeting held by the Council of the Federation, which comprises all provincial and territorial leaders, will be held in Saskatchewan next year, hosted by Premier Scott Moe.
The meetings are a chance for premiers to advocate on common concerns as well as build interprovincial relationships.
Moe and Ford announced Thursday that Ontario is joining Saskatchewan’s court case challenging the federal government’s right to impose carbon tax.
Ford has said he wished to get other premiers on side with his carbon tax fight, but no others came on board.