Because the federal plan to legalize marijuana would shift some key decisions to the provinces, Coast Reporter asked the candidates in Powell River-Sunshine Coast how B.C. should handle the decisions it will have to make on issues like licensing, distribution, sales and age restrictions, and whether questions around zoning for growers and sellers should be left to municipalities or be part of a province-wide framework.
The Green Party’s Kim Darwin said that while the Greens recognize that legalized marijuana represents a potential small, local business opportunity, “BC Greens will base any decisions on evidence and youth harm reduction strategies.”
She also said it makes sense for the sale and distribution of marijuana to be executed by trained pharmacists in pharmacies, and that “neighbouring provinces will have to collaborate on marijuana taxation and pricing. It could be problematic to have different models. Taxing and pricing will have to be such that it discourages black market dealers, while ensuring program cost-effectiveness.”
Darwin said there should be province-wide standards for buffers around public areas and schools, so long as municipalities have the flexibility to modify for unique cases in each of their own communities.
Mathew Wilson, the Liberal candidate, said he’s “committed to introducing appropriate regulation governing the consumption and sale of cannabis in British Columbia. These regulations will be developed in a manner that is practical and safe for all British Columbians, with the health and safety of our children our top priority. I will work with health and public safety officials to ensure regulations meet three principles on cannabis legalization: Keep it out of the hands of minors, keep the profits out of organized crime, and ensure quality control and appropriate labeling.”
On the question of local government’s role, Wilson said, “There should be a province-wide framework that governs siting; however, local government should be free to enact appropriate zoning relevant to their official community plans.”
Nicholas Simons, the NDP incumbent, said the NDP “will consult with our communities and other levels of government to implement policies that maximize community safety and quality of life. Well-paying, community-supporting jobs that provide revenue for the province should be encouraged, as long as public health and community safety issues are addressed. The minimum age is set at 18 in the proposed federal legislation, despite a recommendation that the age be set at 21. Questions around measuring impairment need to be answered by experts.”
When it comes to the provincial-municipal relationship, Simons said, “Local governments in B.C. will, as always, control their own zoning. A priority for me would be to engage with the federal government to ensure there are protections for small businesses and the local small-scale craft growers so the benefits of the industry can extend to rural areas of the province.”
