Pubdate: Wed, 01 Jun 2016
Source: Standard, The (St. Catharines, CN ON)
Page: A3
Copyright: 2016 St. Catharines Standard
Contact: http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/letters
Website: http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/676
Author: Maryanne Firth

REGION CALLS FOR STRICT POT REGULATIONS

Third time's a charm. After twice being sent back to staff, a motion 
regarding pot regulation and control has received approval from 
Niagara Region's public health and social services committee.

The motion, to be sent to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, provides 
recommendations from Niagara Region should the Canadian government 
move forward with the legalization of marijuana.

Pelham Mayor Dave Augustyn, who previously took issue with the 
document's wording, felt the latest version properly captured the 
Region's stance on the issue.

While the motion does not endorse legalization, it does recommend 
that should legalization occur, strict regulations be put in place to 
reduce health and societal harms associated with marijuana use, he said.

Those include limiting access by limiting where cannabis can be 
purchased and implementing controlled pricing; setting a minimum age 
for purchase; investing federal dollars in education and prevention; 
addressing and preventing marijuana-impaired driving; and prohibiting 
marketing, advertising and sponsorship, especially to children.

The document also outlines Niagara's role as an early leader in 
municipal bylaws to restrict harmful effects from secondhand smoke. 
It asks that direct and indirect health effects of smoking of any 
kind be taken into consideration as legislation and regulations are considered.

The lessons society has learned about smoking tobacco are reflected 
in the motion to deter smoking of any kind, Augustyn said.

The motion will seek final approval from regional council June 9.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom