Pubdate: Tue, 18 Apr 2017
Source: North Island Gazette (CN BC)
Copyright: 2017 Black Press
Contact:  http://www.northislandgazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2783
Author: John Harding

LEGAL WEED

When the smoke clears we will all have a better understanding about
the details of the federal government's new marijuana laws.

Right now, we know this about the proposed legislation, tabled in the
House of Commons last week by the Liberal government:

* Adults 18 and older will be allowed to possess up to 30 grams of
dried cannabis in public, share up to 30 grams with other adults, and
buy cannabis or cannabis oil from a provincially regulated retailer.

* Selling cannabis to a minor will become a specific offence, for the
first time in the history of the Criminal Code.

* According to the Liberal government, there will be "severe
penalties" for those who engage young people in cannabis-related
offences, as well as a "zero-tolerance approach" to drug-impaired driving.

The questions we have relate to public use. Imagine hanging out at the
waterfront in Port McNeill or Port Hardy, perhaps walking your dog or
playing catch with your children.

Someone is sitting on a park bench, smoking a joint. Perhaps they
aren't even in the park, but nearby. The smoke and distinct aroma waft
over the park.

Are you cool with that?

We asked our Member of Parliament, Rachel Blaney, about the
legislation. But first, we asked her if she smokes pot.

"I've never had marijuana in my life," she said.

We could have pressed her on that, asked for more detail, but decided
if that's how she wanted to answer, then fine. It's not like we are in
a presidenttial campaign south of the border and need to get into
details about whether someone inhaled or not.

Blaney did raise some concerns about the situation. The delay in
implementation - the new laws won't likely be in effect for another 18
months - could mean the continuation of court proceedings that put a
criminal record on people for possessing small amounts of cannabis.
"These are all important things we need to talk about," she said.

The MP is also looking for more details about the legislation. She was
speaking to us just hours after it was tabled. "In a lot of our
communities there is a lot of confusion and uncertainty," said Blaney.
"For me, I just want clarity."

All in all, Blaney said she is in favour of new laws governing
marijuana, calling them "long overdue." She also believes it could
bring in some munch-needed cash for federal programs.

"I do agree with the legislation," she said. "I think we should
control it and derive revenue from it and put that into health care."

Perhaps there are many more important facets of the legislation, but
we can't help but go back to the social effects, the way the loosening
of rules around marijuana use will affect our day-to-day lives on the
North Island.

Will the rules be just like the ones around cigarette smoking? Will
one be able to light up outside a pub or restaurant, or any business
for that matter, as long as one is 'X' amount of feet away from a doorway?

Are we dumping more work on our police forces, especially when it
comes to enforcing the drug-impaired driving laws? Are we putting
muncipalities in difficult positions when it comes to business-licence
approvals? It's fine to pass federal laws, but small districts, towns
and villages don't exactly have a lot of staff to administer and
police new laws. It seems the legislation has raised more questions
than it has answered. Like our MP, we ask the federal government for
some clarity. And we ask that the federal Liberals provide communities
with the tools they need to deal with the new reality of legalized
marijuana use.

- - Editorial by John Harding
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt