Pubdate: Mon, 27 Nov 2017
Source: Gulf News, The (CN NF)
Copyright: 2017 Transcontinental Media Network
Contact:  http://www.gulfnews.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2966
Author: Ashley Fitzpatrick
Page: 1

N.L. TO SELL CANNABIS THROUGH LIQUOR CORPORATION

Independent sellers licensed; discouraging stocking with alcohol

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has revealed some - not
all - of the details on its plans for legalized marijuana, with the
Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corp. (NLC) playing a lead role.

The powers are being brought in as amendments to the Liquor
Corporation Act and Liquor Control Act, with legislation coming in
spring 2018.

Right now, there are a few clear policy stances:

Legal age will be 19 and it will be illegal for youth to be in
possession of any amount (a provincial, not federal, offence)

Use will be restricted to private residences, but that includes your
shed, garage, etc., on your property

Generally speaking, restrictions applying to tobacco use will apply to
marijuana

The province has identified potential suppliers to start and is in
discussions for what will be in the hands of the NLC in time for
legalization.

The NLC will have an online store. An RFP, expected to go out before
Christmas, will determine end retail locations (They will be licensed
by NLC).

Right now, sales in locations where alcohol is also sold will be
discouraged. It will not be prohibited, by legislation under proposal,
given some areas of province would not support a stand-alone cannabis
shop.

On taxation, the province is set to apply the federally proposed
excise tax of $1 per gram or 10 per cent of the retail price. That
will be 50-50 split between the provincial and federal government. The
province says it does not think it is a fair share, so is trying to
negotiate that tax. The decisions to date are restricted to smoking
and vaping, and do not address edibles.

No decisions have yet been made on private growing.

"Sanctions for youth possession are to be determined, but are likely
to be based on the alcohol model," said Justice Minister Andrew
Parsons, who also told reporters impaired driving has no place on our
roads.

Legalization is set for July 2018.
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MAP posted-by: Matt