Even though it is still around a year away, when marijuana becomes legal next July, tough rules may come along with it.

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) has stated their position on a number of concerns when pot is legalized, and would like to see:

  • A "zero tolerance" policy in order to ban pot smoking in cars (drivers and passengers)
  • THC amount cap in cannabis products
  • Use tax revenues to boost addiction and mental health services
  • Staff selling products should have special training and hold a "Cannabis Card" (much like Smart Serve for bartenders)
  • Strict advertising and marketing restrictions (such as plain packaging)

Among the many suggestions the CMHA has, they do agree with one thing Premier Kathleen Wynne hinted at, which was to make the age of majority for cannabis 19 years of age.

The Ontario Health Minister Eric Hoskins is also urging the government to create a strong public education and awareness campaign before the legalization, to educate Ontarians on the harmful effects of marijuana. They give specific reference to the concern that cannabis can be harmful to people under 25 because their brains are still developing.

A current issue that the government and law enforcement are facing as the legalization is approaching, medical dispensaries have made the news, such as the Canna Clinics here in Toronto, that jumped the gun. In doing so, they were raided and shut down, however they continued to operate. As a result, each staff member is facing criminal charges for possession and trafficking. With these stores trying to jump the gun, the urge to rush the decriminalization of possession has become a topic of discussion, however, it will be for a lot less than what the clinics were carrying, with one store forfeiting 178kg of marijuana, according to police. What the CMHA recommends is that the province of Ontario should push the federal government to:

  • Decriminalize the personal possession of 30 grams or less of cannabis
  • Decriminalize youth offences on possession and replace existing penalties with a fine, community service, or mandatory education or addiction programs

Both of which, they would like to see done as soon as possible. As the legalization approaches, there will be more developments and discussions surrounding a number of issues surrounding cannabis. Check back to our blog page for more as we approach July 1, 2018.

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