The province of Manitoba has outlined parts of their recreational cannabis regulations as the legalization of marihuana moves forward federally.
Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Blaine Pederson said on Wednesday, July 18, 2018, that health, safety, education and enforcement surrounding legalized cannabis will be mostly a provincial responsibility. In an effort to drive out the illegal market the province intends to keep the price of cannabis low.
Pederson says that promoting public safety is the province’s top priority.
- Province proposes amendments to laws regulating cannabis use
- Manitoba sets out how and where cannabis can be sold and measures to protect youth
As part of the plan, Manitoba will markup the cost of cannabis at the distribution level to cover the associated costs of the supply and distribution system. Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries has been charged with managing distribution.
The province will also ad a “social responsibility fee” (SRF) so that retailers share in the cost of education, safety, health and addictions related to the sale of cannabis.
“We believe cannabis sourced from Health Canada licensed producers and sold by provincially licensed and regulated retailers will better protect the health and safety of Manitobans,” said Pedersen. “We’re focused on ensuring public safety for all Manitobans – those who want to use cannabis and those that don’t.”
In Manitoba, the age to purchase and use cannabis has been set at 19 in an effort to keep the drug out of schools. The drug is also restricted as to where it can be used. Smoking marihuana will not be allowed in public places.
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