Canada: Ontario premier-elect Doug Ford seeks consultations on marijuana legalisation
Toronto, Jun 22 (IBNS): Ontario premier-elect Doug Ford is seeking further consultations on marijuana legalisation in the province, media reports said.
The use of recreational marijuana is expected to become legal in October.
Ford might like to consult municipalities, stakeholders and caucus before taking decision on marijuana legalisation.
The premier-elect will decide whether he will alter the plans chalked out by his predecessor.
The outgoing Liberals had planned to roll out 150 standalone pot stores by the Liquor Control Board of Ontario by the end of 2020.
The plan was to open 40 of those 150 stores in this year.
Ford has been quoted by CTV News, "What I said is I'd be focusing on the LCBO. I'm private sector, I don't believe government should stick their nose into everything, but again, this is a path we have never went down."
"We're going to tread carefully on this and we're going to consult with the local municipalities and we're going to make a decision after we talk to caucus."
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said cannabis will be legal in the country on Oct 17, media reports said.
The PM said the provinces need more time before the implementation of the bill C-45.
Trudeau has been quoted by CTV News, "We heard from provinces and territories who told us they needed more time to transition to this new framework, so our government will continue to work in full partnership with them, to ensure the smooth and orderly implementation of this new law across Canada."
After years of debate, the Canadian parliament on Tuesday passed a nationwide law legalising the use of recreational marijuana or cannabis.
By virtue of the order, Canada became the second country in the world, after Uruguay, to legalise cannabis for recreational use.
However, Canada has been using cannabis medically since 2001.
The authorities have also stated that buying cannabis from unlicensed dealer or growing more than four plants per household will be treated as illegal.
A buyer will need to be at least 18 years or older to obtain it from licensed stores, while some Canadian provinces have set up the age limit to 19.
Cannabis-infused foods will not be available now, but is expected to take a year from the time the bill comes into effect. Within this gap, the government is expected to set up the system.
(Reporting by Suman Das)
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