BC’s top doctor named to federal marijuana task force
Posted June 30, 2016 9:02 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA, ON. (NEWS 1130) – The Federal Government has now officially launched its task force to study the legalization and regulation of marijuana use, and it is putting a former Chretien-era cabinet minister at the helm.
BC’s top doctor will also play a key role in developing new federal laws that will legalize marijuana. Provincial Medical Health Officer Dr. Perry Kendall has been named to the panel that will cross the country looking for input on the proposed legislation.
Other local members of the group include former Vancouver City Councillor George Chow and University of Victoria Criminologist Susan Boyd.
The task force is going to be chaired by former cabinet minister Anne McLellan, who has served in all the relevant portfolios including health, justice and public safety.
She says before her group prepares recommendations for the government it will hold wide ranging consultations with provincial and municipal governments. “Equally important will be our engagement with youth and with experts in relevant fields such as healthcare, substance abuse, criminal justice and economics.”
The task force has set up online consultations for regular Canadians and plans to release a report by this November. The government is reminding people that until the law changes, marijuana is still an illegal drug except for medicinal users.
Ottawa has promised to introduce legislation to legalize pot by the spring of 2017.
