On December 13, 2016, the federal Task Force on Cannabis Legalization and Regulationreleased A Framework for the Legalization and Regulation of Cannabis in Canada, which includes more than 80 recommendations to all levels of government on the process for legalizing cannabis in a way that protects public safety and health among Canadians. Among the recommendations are several with municipal implications, including:
- Potential requirements to regulate cannabis advertising
- Location of cannabis retailers in relation to schools, etc.
- Distribution of taxation revenues derived from cannabis sales
- Possible co-location of cannabis products in retail stores with liquor or tobacco in rural areas
- Collaboration between municipal, provincial, and federal governments on information-sharing
- Municipal inspections of home-based self-grow operations
- Costs and capacity challenges related to training law enforcement and bylaw officials
- Defining and enforcing cannabis impaired driving
At this point, it is unclear how the Government of Canada will proceed in relation to the recommendations. The Government of Alberta has been vocal in the importance of further federal consultation with the province and municipalities as to how cannabis is regulated. It is also currently unclear when the legalization process will be implemented, and therefore how long municipalities have to adapt bylaws, inspection capacity, etc. to accommodate possible increased responsibilities under the framework.
The AAMDC will share additional details with members as they become available.
Enquiries may be directed to:
| Wyatt Skovron Policy Analyst 780.955.4096 |
Kim Heyman Director, Advocacy and Communications 780.955.4079 |