Canada’s premiers say they will not be ready for the legalization of cannabis next summer if Ottawa does not clarify how to solve several public-health issues associated with ending 94 years of prohibition, such as how to prevent people from driving while high.
Alberta Premier Rachel Notley told the closing news conference at the leaders’ annual summer meeting in Edmonton that provinces need guidance on five problems: road safety and enforcement, preparation and training on distribution, taxation, public education, and how supply and demand of the legal drug might affect the black market. It is still possible that recreational cannabis will be available to all Canadians by July 1, 2018, she said, but much more work needs to be done over the next year if the provinces are to be ready.
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“Premiers around this table agreed that, should the federal government not engage adequately on these issues, we will need more time to implement the federal government’s decision,” Ms. Notley said. “We expect, with the greatest respect, that the Prime Minister will review the concerns that have been delineated in our communiqué, because they are not insignificant.”
