The picture of legal marijuana in B.C. got a little clearer this week, as the provincial government released some of its planned regulations. While some decisions have yet to be made — or made public — three important ones are in place: minimum age, wholesale distribution and retail policy.
The government has wisely set the minimum age for cannabis at 19. That’s the same as for alcohol and tobacco, and matches the age of majority in B.C. Having different ages for different vices would confuse everyone, and regulators have to keep in mind the studies that say cannabis has a harmful effect on the developing brains of teenagers.
The Liquor Distribution Branch will take over wholesale distribution of non-medical marijuana in the province. It already has the expertise, so this measure makes sense. It gives the government greater control over what gets distributed and where it gets distributed, although it means having to build new warehouses.
The government plans to allow both public and private retail outlets to sell marijuana, with details of the system to be released early next year. British Columbians are used to that mix in liquor sales, but those who hope to prosper by selling pot will have to wait to find out how the regulations will affect them.
It’s possible that some of those who hope to cash in will find themselves squeezed out. However, municipalities that have been struggling with dispensaries popping up all over town will no doubt welcome some clarity.
The government says the recommendations followed feedback from 48,951 British Columbians, and submissions from 141 local and Indigenous governments. Not surprisingly, it said the feedback emphasized “protecting young people, health and safety, keeping the criminal element out of cannabis and keeping roads safe.”
All those are tall orders, with significant problems that have to be overcome. Many of the rules still have to be set by the federal government.
In particular, although the provinces control distribution and sale, Ottawa will regulate commercial production of marijuana. Until now, production of recreational marijuana has been controlled by people with grow lights in their homes and by organized criminals.
The hope is that a well-organized, well-regulated production and retail system will push criminals out of the marijuana business, although that is by no means certain. Even if it happens, it will take time.
And those who think gangsters will go broke when pot becomes legal are dreaming. When Prohibition ended in the United States, the mob didn’t suddenly go straight. It got into other profitable enterprises, including strong-arming its way into legitimate businesses. The police will still be hunting gangsters.
Police will also have their work cut out keeping roads safe, as the federal government has to work out the rules on cannabis-impaired driving. It’s considerably more difficult than dealing with alcohol impairment.
While Ottawa develops these and other regulations in anticipation of legalization on July 1, the landscape in B.C. is becoming clearer. It will become clearer still when the remaining regulations are written.
