WHEN politicians talk about the arrival of legal cannabis, they make it sound like it's going to be more trouble than it's worth. Oh, the worry. According to the narrative coming out of the federal and provincial capitals, legalizing pot is going to involve enormous costs with very little return, in terms of tax revenue. There are expected to be increased costs for provinces and municipalities in the areas of law enforcement, public education, health care and addictions treatment at a time when governments of all levels are having trouble generating the revenues needed to sustain core services. [continues 908 words]
PREMIER Brian Pallister has always been coy about whether he has ever enjoyed the pleasures of cannabis. "I prefer beer," has become his standard retort when asked if he's ever taken a toke. Regardless of whether the premier smoked, inhaled or appreciated the mystic qualities of marijuana, you can bet he will learn to love the tax revenue that will flow from a legalized marketplace. Manitoba's plan for the legalized wholesale and retail sales of cannabis is pretty thin. Pallister has only confirmed a plan to have Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries act as a wholesale distributor, with retail sales going to the private sector. [continues 1006 words]
IN his struggles to come up with a regime to control the sale of recreational marijuana, Premier Brian Pallister may have found a powerful ally. Shoppers Drug Mart. Despite a looming July 1, 2018 deadline to have a system in place, the province has been very reluctant to talk about how it would like to handle the production, distribution and sales of recreational pot. Last month, Justice Minister Heather Stefanson issued an expression of interest to find potential partners and solutions to handle all aspects of legalized marijuana. [continues 869 words]
The federal government is bypassing more pressing legal issues to tackle the decriminalization of marijuana, Manitoba Attorney General Gord Mackintosh charged yesterday. Federal Justice Minister Martin Cauchon said Monday he expects the Liberal government to move quickly on provisions to decriminalize pot, with legislation to be introduced early in the new year. Mackintosh, who has generally steered clear of the federal government's efforts to modernize drug laws, said the decriminalization of pot isn't on his agenda and he is reasonably happy with the law as it stands now. [continues 212 words]
