Pubdate: Thu, 28 Jan 2016
Source: Chilliwack Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 Chilliwack Times
Contact:  http://www.chilliwacktimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1357

LEGAL LIMBO ON MARIJUANA LAWS

Though it was an election promise, Justin Trudeau's Liberals aren't
going to be able to legalize marijuana overnight.

In fact, the legalization of pot might take longer than the four years
they are guaranteed before the next federal election in Oct. 2019.

Undoubtedly, the federal government would like to get started on this
promise, since it's worth millions of tax dollars every year. But when
you consider what they already have on their plate, what with ISIS,
Syrian refugees, assisted dying and, oh yes, the economy, it's
understandable that legalizing pot might not be the top item on the
Liberals to-do list.

Still, the promise was made, and with pot already legalized in
Washington and Colorado, there is a certain expectation that it is a
promise they will follow through on. That leaves our police and
justice system in a bit of a legal limbo.

All the existing prohibitions are still in force, but police have had
a hard enough time enforcing those and getting punitive judgments
without the concept of legalization hanging over their heads, in
addition to the limited legalization of medicinal marijuana.

Maybe we need to set out a timeline of how this is going to happen and
set some preliminary regulations for licensing and regulation of sales.
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MAP posted-by: Matt