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Canada: Cannabis law rolls up several into one

David Larkins

Winnipeg Sun

Monday 20 Mar 2017

Eight existing acts will be amended in one fell swoop after the provincial government introduced cannabis-related legislation Monday to deal with impending national legalization.

The Cannabis Harm Prevention Act will have arms in a number of existing laws, as the province looks to “address health or safety concerns that will arise when cannabis consumption is no longer illegal,” the bill reads.

Bill 25, introduced by Justice Minister Heather Stefanson on Monday, also “closes any legislative gaps that might be created when cannabis is no longer considered to be an illegal drug.”

Of note, the act amends the Highway Traffic Act to prohibit cannabis consumption in motor vehicles on a highway and create a 24-hour suspension for those caught driving under the influence.

The act also prohibits smoking cannabis in enclosed public spaces – similar to what exists for cigarettes – and includes through the use of e-cigarettes.

Stefanson said Manitoba is the first province to put forth legislation preparing for legalization. She said the bill is meant to serve as a stop-gap measure while awaiting the federal legalization to ensure the province is prepared.

“This is a start, but this is really to deal with the interim grey period with respect to health and safety,” she said. “... As we move forward and we see the legislation and we see what the intentions are of the federal government then we’ll look at whatever legislative changes are needed.”

Among the matters still to be determined is how police would test for marijuana in a person’s system. Stefanson said that will be something the province will have to amend in the future.

“(Law enforcement) are trying to develop that mechanism to do that so, until they do, this is what we believe is the responsible approach in the interim,” she said. “I’m not going to guesstimate how many times we’re going to open up the act. We’ll do it on an as-needed basis.”

However, NDP justice critic Andrew Swan said by moving ahead before any word from Ottawa the Tories have jumped the gun.

Swan said he wants to see the province work in concert with the feds to assure any new laws related to intoxication thresholds don’t target medical marijuana users.

“You want to make sure there’s safety on the roads but, at the same time, if somebody in the future legally uses marijuana and, four days later, has a trace of marijuana, we want to ensure that’s not going to result in a licence being suspended,” he said.

http://www.winnipegsun.com/2017/03/20/cannabis-law-rolls-up-several-into-one

 

 

 

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