Canadian News November 29, 2017
Legal Cannabis Bill Passes Canadian House, Heads to Senate
Full-scale legalization of marijuana is one step closer to becoming a reality in Canada.
Bill C-45, which will make pot legal across the Great White North by July 1, 2018, has been approved in the Canadian House of Commons. It now heads to the Senate, where the Conservatives are threatening to stymie its passage.
While the bill was approved in the House by a vote of 200-82—after Conservatives there also tried to block its passage—Conservative senators warn that Canadian law enforcement won’t be ready to enforce the new legislation by next summer.
Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould said the House approval of the bill was an “important milestone” on the path to legalization, which the government hopes will weaken the organized crime and black market that have long thrived around pot, and will also keep marijuana out of the hands of Canada’s youth.
The Conservatives have been urging Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government to reconsider the July 2018 legalization date, arguing that a July 2019 date would allow provinces to be better prepared to administer the new law.
Each of Canada’s 10 provinces will be responsible for creating their legal cannabis frameworks, which includes law enforcement, tax revenue allocation, operating procedures, restrictions and penalties for black market activity.
But not every community is confident that they will have the resources to address legalization by July 2018. Last month, Tunu Napartuk, mayor of Kuujjuaq in Northern Quebec, told Canada’s CBC News, “We’re absolutely not ready,” citing a dearth of law enforcement. In September, police organizations in Canada pleaded with the government to seriously consider a legalization delay, citing concerns that they wouldn’t have enough fully trained police officers to contend with full-scale legalization.
Questions also surround how producers will be able to legally promote and market cannabis. Last month, already-legal medical marijuana producers in Canada suggested advertising and marketing guidelines that they say would help the newly legal market compete against illicit product.
“Working collaboratively with industry and [Advertising Standards Canada], we’ve developed commonsense recommendations that reflect the relative health risks posed by cannabis,” said Jeff Ryan, co-chair for the Coalition for Responsible Cannabis Branding, in a statement. “[The legal] industry recognizes and shares the government’s objectives of reducing the prevalence of the illicit market and keeping cannabis out of the hands of Canada’s youth. These recommendations strike a balance that can achieve both of those objectives.”