The Nova Scotia government will table legislation today governing legalized recreational cannabis.
The province already announced that nine NSLC stores have been authorized to sell cannabis including the one in Yarmouth.
Justice Minister Mark Furey says this is a significant policy shift for the country and the province.
He says they had extensive consultations and looked at jurisdictions in the U.S. that have legalized cannabis.
“We believe we’ve landed on a piece of legislation that will maintain the health and safety of Nova Scotians, recognizing that the legalization of recreational cannabis will be a different direction.”
Doctors Nova Scotia rolled out several recommendations last week, urging the government to consider them in its legislation.
Furey says the organization was invited but didn’t participate in the original series of consultations.
“The work that Doctors Nova Scotia has completed aligned in just about every area that the government has taken, with the exception of age.”
Doctors NS recommends a legal age of 21 to purchase marijuana, the province says it will be 19.
Meanwhile Furey says it will be the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation that will set the price.
He says the price point is critical to transition people from the illicit market to the legal market.
“We’re already seeing the illicit market compress their price based on what provinces and territories have done right across the country.”
Furey says says another important element will be quality control and ensuring that Health Canada meets those standards.
Recreational cannabis will become legal in Canada this summer.
UPDATE:
The province unveiled the framework this afternoon.
Highlights include setting of the legal age at 19, updated policy on impaired driving, harmonizing fines for cannabis use with alcohol related fines, and allows municipalities to put in additional restrictions on smoking bylaws if they choose.
Cannabis use of any kind will be prohibited in vehicles including motorized boats, a zero tolerance policy will be put in place for new drivers, and it aligns alcohol and drug related penalties for drivers.
MADD Canada has also endorsed the legislation.
“MADD Canada is very pleased with the Nova Scotia government’s legilsative initiatives to combat drugged driving. Nova Scotia has extended its zero tolerance program for young and new drivers to include drugs which will protect young and new drivers,” says Andrew Murie, CEO of MADD Canada.
To read more on the new legislation click here.
