THE SHERI FF

Premier John Horgan once called Farnworth “the king of cannabis, the ganja guy,” and he's taking the job in stride. His key priorities, he says: shutting down the black market, protecting young people, ensuring product safety and quality (a federal responsibility), and dealing with drugimpaired driving and road safety.

On the enforcement side, Farnworth explains, B.C. will have cannabis inspectors who ensure that licensed retailers obey the law. There will also be a community enforcement unit, based in his ministry, with the power to seize product from illegal operators and issue fines. As more legal retail outlets open, enforcement will be stepped up, says Farnworth, who calls legalization an evolution. “In many ways, it's like any business. It takes time, and you have to ramp up locations.” Having opted for public and private sales of recreational cannabis, B.C. is letting local governments decide what mix they want, or just say no. Besides convincing Ottawa to let smaller growers become licensed producers, it capped the number of retail licences per holder at eight to give as many British Columbians as possible a chance to participate and avoid a monopoly, Farnworth says. “In many parts of this province, cannabis has been part of the economy for a very long time,” notes the solicitor general, who adds that his government is open to allowing farm-gate sales by craft producers. With cannabis edibles likely to become legal next year, Farnworth thinks they'll make life easier for people who don't want to deal with pot smoke. On drug-impaired driving, he guarantees there will be a court challenge of the current roadside saliva-screening test approved by the federal government. “The feds understand that, we understand that, and that's why I say legalization doesn't begin and end on October 17.”