The GNWT has unveiled its plan for regulating recreational cannabis once the substance is legalized across the country next July.
But not everyone agrees with what the document, released Friday, proposes.
SA国际影视传媒淚 think itSA国际影视传媒檚 a terrible, terrible idea to put liquor and marijuana in the same place together, in the same way tobacco and liquor should not be put together,SA国际影视传媒� said Yellowknife resident Sara Murphy.
Murphy is working on creating a shop for cannabis accessories and hopes to eventually open a dispensary and become a licensed producer.
She disagreed with the GNWTSA国际影视传媒檚 plan to sell marijuana in liquor stores, which the government says will have experience with safe SA国际影视传媒渟tore frontSA国际影视传媒� retail of controlled substances.
SA国际影视传媒淲hen you smoke marijuana and you also consume alcohol, all of the other symptoms are heightened,SA国际影视传媒� said Murphy. SA国际影视传媒淚 believe that itSA国际影视传媒檚 pretty self-destructive if youSA国际影视传媒檙e going to be doing them both together. To put liquor and marijuana in the same store together promotes this.SA国际影视传媒�
The GNWT is opting to give the NWT Liquor Commission responsibility for the importation and sale of cannabis.
But Murphy said she believes she should be able to buy from a licensed cannabis producer and sell the product separately.
The government says cannabis will SA国际影视传媒渋nitiallySA国际影视传媒� be sold through liquor stores but there will be no restrictions preventing SA国际影视传媒渢he future sale of cannabis in SA国际影视传媒榗annabis onlySA国际影视传媒� stores.SA国际影视传媒�
There was little clarity in the timeline about when businesses would be able to open shop, however.
Kam Lake MLA Kieron Testart pointed out on Twitter on Friday that the plan also fails to address supply management and production.
Many people will be excited, however, to see NWT communities will be given the option to hold a plebiscite on whether to restrict or prohibit cannabis, just like with alcohol.
A number of residents have expressed concerns the legalization of marijuana could compound already existing social problems and addictions.
SA国际影视传媒淚 think itSA国际影视传媒檚 a very good approach,SA国际影视传媒� said Nahendeh MLA Shane Thompson, who added legalization could impact community safety and wellbeing. SA国际影视传媒淎t the end of the day, itSA国际影视传媒檚 allowing the communities to have a voice in how they want to be respected and how they want to deal with the matter.SA国际影视传媒�
But he expressed some concern about the territorial governmentSA国际影视传媒檚 plan to allow smoking in some public places.
The GNWT suggests residents should be allowed to smoke cannabis on their private property, trails, highways, roads, streets and parks, as long as they arenSA国际影视传媒檛 being used for public events or if there is a bylaw preventing it.
SA国际影视传媒淭hatSA国际影视传媒檚 going to be a challenge,SA国际影视传媒� said Thompson. SA国际影视传媒淲hat you do in your home should be allowed as long as itSA国际影视传媒檚 legal SA国际影视传媒� but in public spaces, thatSA国际影视传媒檚 going to be something that could be a big issue for people.SA国际影视传媒�
The GWNT expects to introduce cannabis legislation during the next sitting of the legislative assembly, which runs from February to March.
Fact File: The rules for weed
- Age restriction of at least 19 for purchase, consumption, possession of cannabis
- Possession limit of 30 grams of dried cannabis or equivalent in public
- Liquor Commission responsible for importation and sale
- Will initially be sold through liquor stores
- Legislation will not restrict future SA国际影视传媒渃annabis-onlySA国际影视传媒� stores
- Cannabis smoking permitted in private residences and some public spaces such as trails, highways, roads and parks when there are no public events occurring or bylaws prohibit cannabis smoking
- Grow limit of four plants per household
- Community plebiscite option
- Novice drivers, drivers age 21 and under and commercial drivers restricted from having any cannabis in system when driving vehicle
- New drug-impaired driving penalties underway
- Workers Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC) to review health and safety regulations
