Manitoba premier calls for delay in nationwide marijuana legalization to 2019

EDMONTON— It’s time to take a deep breath and put pot on the back burner for an extra year, says Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister.

He’s trying to persuade his provincial and territorial counterparts at their annual conference to ask Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to delay the legalization of cannabis 12 months to July 1, 2019.

That would increase the chances of avoiding the “hodge-podge” of different provincial ages of majority and regulations now seen with beer, wine and spirits, Pallister said Tuesday.

“I would hope we could learn from that and not re-create that for cannabis,” he added, acknowledging age of majority and regulations such as where pot will be sold are under provincial jurisdiction. Pallister also raised concerns about public and traffic safety, health impacts and more, including ways of measuring cannabis impairment for drivers.

“There are too many unanswered questions, too many issues that have not been addressed for us to rush into what is a historic change.”

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall said his province is working toward the deadline of Canada Day next year but wouldn’t mind an extension because there are “a lot of moving parts” in legalizing cannabis.

Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil said the small size of the Maritime provinces makes it important for them to be on the same page, although his administration believes it can meet next year’s July 1 deadline. Rob Ferguson