Pubdate: Fri, 27 Nov 2015
Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2015 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact: http://www.torontosun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://torontosun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457
Author: Antonella Artuso
Page: 5

WEED RULING EVAPORATES

Second look at public pot smoking

It turns out the Ontario government hadn't inhaled yet on its plan to
allow medical marijuana vaping in public spaces.

Associate Health Minister Dipika Damerla said Thursday the government
is taking a second look at the proposed exemption to new e-cigarette
rules that would allow anyone with a prescription for medical cannabis
to use the product in restaurants, parks and movie theatres - just
about anywhere - unless the property owner objected.

"We've heard some concerns and some feedback on this regulation,"
Damerla said. "We're going to ... take a hard look and see what's the
best way to make sure that this is the best interest of Ontarians."

Damerla pointed out that currently there are no limits on
e-cigarettes, and medical marijuana users can vape in public.

As of Jan. 1, the government will ban the use of e-cigarettes and
vaping in any location where tobacco smoking is prohibited, and also
halt the sale of e-cigarettes to anyone under the age of 19.

The vaping exemption exists only for those who have a doctor's
prescription for marijuana. "Similar exemptions are in place in both
B.C. and Manitoba," Damerla said. "We're talking about people who need
this for a medical purpose. There could be situations where somebody
needs it for pain management."

However, the minister noted that concerns have been raised online and
in media reports about the impact of secondhand smoke.

"Until we take a good look at what the feedback is and what the best
way forward is, it's too early to say whether this was a failure or
not," Damerla said.

NDP MPP Jagmeet Singh said the Liberal government routinely fails to
properly vet their initiatives through affected stakeholder groups
like restaurant owners.

"The Liberal government does not know how to consult," he
said.

PC Leader Patrick Brown said he believes it's important to accommodate
medical needs, and using marijuana for health reasons should be
treated differently than recreational use.

"I'm going to be hopeful the government will get this right," Brown
said.
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MAP posted-by: Matt