Pubdate: Wed, 20 Sep 2017
Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2017 Postmedia Network
Contact:  http://www.calgaryherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66
Author: James Wood
Page: A4

NO PLAN TO RAISE LEGAL DRINKING AGE: GANLEY

'I don't really think that's on the table,' minister says

The NDP government says it isn't considering raising Alberta's legal
age of 18 for drinking alcohol and smoking tobacco as it develops its
policies around legal marijuana.

Alberta Health Services, in its written submission to the government's
consultations on legal cannabis, suggested the province consider a
minimum age of 21 for marijuana consumption, and potentially raise the
drinking and smoking tobacco age to match.

But outside a meeting of Premier Rachel Notley's cabinet at McDougall
Centre, Justice Minister Kathleen Ganley said changing the legal age
for alcohol consumption is not on the agenda.

"I don't think we have any intentions to make any moves at this time
in terms of the alcohol drinking age," said the Calgary-Buffalo MLA.
"I don't really think that's on the table."

Notley's press secretary, Cheryl Oates, confirmed the province is also
not considering raising the age for tobacco consumption.

The Trudeau government intends to legalize cannabis for recreational
use on July 1, 2018, but it falls to the provinces to determine issues
such as how marijuana will be marketed and sold.

After receiving public input earlier this year, Ganley intends to
release the Alberta plan in the next two weeks. This will be followed
by another round of consultations.
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MAP posted-by: Matt