Pubdate: Wed, 20 Jul 2016
Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)
Page: A6
Copyright: 2016 The Toronto Star
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456
Author: Robert Benzie

WYNNE ON MISSION TO TALK POT POLICIES

Premier Eager to Learn About Strategies of Her Counterparts at Summer 
Conference

WHITEHORSE- As Canada's provincial and territorial leaders gather for 
their annual summer conference, Premier Kathleen Wynne wants the 
inside dope from her colleagues about legalized recreational marijuana.

"I can tell you I'm going to ask people what they're thinking about 
it," Wynne told the Star in an interview before the summit begins 
Wednesday. Her comments come as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's 
government prepares to end the prohibition of marijuana.

Trudeau has appointed former deputy prime minister Anne McLellan to 
lead a task force of medical and legal experts to consult with 
provinces, municipalities and Canadians before releasing a report in 
November that will serve as the template of next year's legislation.

Wynne, who has officials from 12 provincial departments working on 
Ontario's weed strategy, said she is eager to learn the views of 
other premiers as they gear up for that.

While marijuana is not on the meeting's formal agenda, the premier 
said there will be "opportunities for us in casual conversation.

"I'll certainly be saying, 'How are you guys dealing with this? You 
know what I'm saying; what are you saying?' I will be stunned if they 
say they are not being asked about it," she said, noting her 
colleagues across the country "all have different regimes around alcohol."

On the subject of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, Wynne 
clarified what she has been saying about the provincial booze 
monopoly's involvement in the recreational marijuana market.

"It may not even be sold out of the LCBO. Because I've had people say 
to me we don't want to have marijuana and alcohol sold out of the 
same places," she said, emphasizing she envisions the agency's 
cannabis role being in "regulation and distribution and monitoring it 
in some way."

Like Wynne, British Columbia Premier Christy Clark has expressed 
concern on the effects of weed on children and teenagers.

"We need to make sure that young people whose brains are growing, 
will not be allowed unfettered access to getting marijuana," Clark 
told Global News in December.

"Just like we have with alcohol . . . (if ) it's something that 
government is prepared to endorse and allow, we should make sure that 
the rules are very clear that we don't want young people to be using 
it," she said. Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil's government has a 
working group examining the issue, including whether weed should be 
sold at government-owned Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation stores.

"Canadians are asking for it, Canadians believe it's time to have 
marijuana legalized," McNeil said in April, noting "I'm sure there 
will be tax revenue, yes."

Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard's government, which owns the 
Societe des alcools du Quebec monopoly, has said that it does not 
want marijuana to be sold on the shelves of SAQ.

Finance Minister Carlos Leitao said in February that they have "no 
plan, no idea, no intention of commercializing" cannabis.

"It's up to the federal government to determine how to do it. I will 
never have the obligation to commercialize (marijuana) even if it 
becomes legal. It's not up to the province of Quebec to do that," 
Leitao said, adding that Ottawa will "have to figure it out."

Recently elected Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister said in April that 
legalization is "a concern for parents, it's a concern for all . . . 
that this be done properly."

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall's government, meanwhile, has three of 
his cabinet ministers studying how legalized weed will affect road safety.

"I don't think we have clear answers on the potential effects on 
driver safety and what the plan is to prevent impaired driving due to 
marijuana use," Wall said in May.

"There are still too many accidents and deaths due to drunk drivers 
and all governments are taking steps to crack down on that. 
Legalizing marijuana could certainly mean more impaired drivers, 
which no one wants," he said.

"Right now, there isn't a clear standard for what constitutes 
impairment and there isn't a roadside test like there is for drunk 
driving. These are the kinds of issues that need to be sorted out 
before the federal government makes marijuana use legal."
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