Yukon’s recreational pot strategy protects youth

WHITEHORSE — Yukon’s government says it wants regulations for recreational marijuana to focus on minimizing health impacts for young people.

The territory has released a summary of draft legislation ahead of Ottawa’s plans for legalization this summer and the proposed rules include setting the age for consumption at 19, the same limit set by B.C., Ontario and several other provinces.

Yukon’s Health and Social Services Minister Pauline Frost said any new legislation needs to focus on protecting youth from the negative health effects of consuming marijuana.

The proposed regulations would require anyone with recreational pot to take measures to keep it out of the hands of kids, and would prohibit marijuana from being consumed in a daycare, preschool or other licensed child-care sites, even when kids aren’t present.

The rules would also see the territory’s liquor corporation run online sales of marijuana, but Justice Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee said details are still being worked over how to verify the age and identity of online purchasers.

McPhee said the government is looking for feedback on the proposals over the next 30 days and anticipates having legislation ready to be voted on at the beginning of the next legislative session in March.