Too soon for private pot sales

The following is an excerpt from an editorial in the Hamilton Spectator:

What a relief to see that Doug Ford’s love affair with the free market won’t lead to a group hug with private-sector cannabis retailers when recreational pot is legalized.

Backpedaling from statements made before the provincial election, that he preferred a privately run system for selling marijuana, Ontario’s new premier has confirmed only government-operated stores will be selling the drug — at least for now. Chalk up one smart move for Ford. It’s the best decision for a province scrambling to be ready when the 95year-old era of cannabis prohibition ends on Oct. 17.

Just as importantly, Ford’s measured, even cautious approach to the complicated matter of selling pot shows that at least some of the time he’s prepared to go slow and properly manage a major change.

That’s what being a real “Progressive Conservative” should be about.

The task of getting government-operated recreational cannabis stores up and running by mid-October is formidable enough. While provinces such as Alberta and Manitoba will allow private stores to sell pot this fall, Ontario doesn’t have time to change course and successfully do the same thing in just a few months.

So, kudos to Ford for sticking with the public sector on this occasion.

It may be that in the coming years, private-sector retailers can be allowed into the market.

For now, however, Ontario should handle the transition to legalized pot as planned — one day at a time.