MP overseeing pot legalization takes ‘hands off’ approach to retail sales models

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – With the legalization of recreational marijuana just months away, the federal point man on pot isn’t putting his support behind any of the proposed provincial retail sales models.

With recreational use of the drug set to be legal by October, Parliamentary Secretary to the Justice Minister Bill Blair is making stops across the country in an attempt to convince people the switch is the right move to make.

But when it comes to what sort of retail model he prefers — Blair says doesn’t favour a particular one, and will leave that to the provinces to work out.

“Each of them has a different set of circumstances, and that’s exactly what makes me a little bit reluctant to comment specifically about, for example, what British Columbia is doing. British Columbia has a unique set of circumstances and context here, it has a long history. And it’s a very diverse province.”

Blair adds his only concern is that provinces make sure marijuana is sold in a responsible way, and that the approach a province chooses keeps that in mind.

“That they do what is necessary to make sure it’s not sold to children, do what is necessary so that they can compete with the illicit market to help us displace that illicit market, and to do it in a way that fits for their circumstances.”

Blair is also taking a hands off approach on the issue of whether pot should be grown within the agricultural land reserve, saying that too is up to the provincial government.

On the issue of whether or not provincial monopolies are the best option, he’s opting not to weigh in.

“We are in close communication with Mr. Farnworth and with the British Columbia government in the steps that they’re taking,” he says. “They have a very complex environment here, but we have confidence that they’re dealing with it in an expeditious way.

“It’s a process of implementation, but we want to make sure it’s done carefully. We want to make sure that it’s done cautiously. Now I want to cause no difficulty in any community or any part of this country.”

Blair made his comments during a visit to Vancouver.

B.C. says local governments can regulate pot growth on agricultural land

Meantime, local and Indigenous governments in British Columbia will be permitted to prevent marijuana production in their communities on land that is part of the Agricultural Land Reserve, but with conditions.

The Ministry of Agriculture says in a release that the regulatory change is effective immediately and gives governments the right to prevent industrial-style, cement-based and cannabis-production bunkers in their communities.

However, the ministry says pot production can’t be prohibited if it’s grown lawfully in an open field, in a structure that is soil based, or in an existing licensed operation.

The new regulations allow local governments to prevent the alteration of existing cannabis production facilities in alignment with local planning and priorities in their communities.

A submission by the Union of B.C. Municipalities to the advisory committee looking at revitalizing the Agricultural Land Reserve asked it to determine if growing marijuana on reserve agricultural land is the best use of the property.

The changes pertain only to land within the reserve, because local governments can already regulate or prohibit production on lands outside of the reserve.

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