Summary Report with your feedback was provided to Town Council at the July 25, 2018 Committee of the Whole for consideration. You can read the Summary Report here, Non-Medical Cannabis July 2018 Public Engagement Summary Report
"On April 13, 2017, the federal government tabled two bills to legalize and regulate cannabis in Canada:
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Bill C-45, An Act respecting cannabis and to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Criminal Code and other Acts (the "Cannabis Act").
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Bill C-46, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (offences relating to conveyances) and to make consequential amendments toContinue reading
Summary Report with your feedback was provided to Town Council at the July 25, 2018 Committee of the Whole for consideration. You can read the Summary Report here, Non-Medical Cannabis July 2018 Public Engagement Summary Report
"On April 13, 2017, the federal government tabled two bills to legalize and regulate cannabis in Canada:
- Bill C-45, An Act respecting cannabis and to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Criminal Code and other Acts (the "Cannabis Act").
- Bill C-46, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (offences relating to conveyances) and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.
The Cannabis Act create a regulatory framework for the production, distribution, sale, cultivation, and possession of cannabis across Canada. Bill C-46 addresses offences relating to cannabis trafficking, and focuses on strengthening impaired-driving measures." FCM Municipal Guide to Cannabis Legalization
Each level of government, Federal, Provincial/Territorial and Municipal have roles and responsibilities in implementing the non-medical cannabis legislation.
Summary of possible government roles and responsibilities are:
Federal | Provincial/Territorial | Municipal |
- Cannabis production
- Cannabis possession limits
- Trafficking
- Advertising
- Minimum age limits (18)
- Oversight of medical cannabis regime, including personal cultivation registration
| - Wholesale and retail distribution of cannabis
- Selection of retail distribution model
- Workplace safety
- Discretion to set more restrictive limits for:
- Minimum age for consumption (19)
- Possession amount
| - Zoning (density, location)
- Retail locations
- Home cultivation
- Business Licensing
- Building Codes
- Nuisance
- Smoking restrictions
- Odours
- Municipal workplace safety
- Enforcement
- Regulations around public consumption
- Personal possession
- Municipal cost considerations related to local policing
|
The time-frame for the legalization of non-medical cannabis to be effective is, October of 2018.
Local governments, such as the Town of Yarmouth will face significant new enforcement and operational challenges in the months and years ahead. New town policies, bylaws, business regulations addressing public consumption must be developed and will require co-ordination with our sister municipalities to ensure consistent provincial and regional approach.
Town Council at the June 28, 2018 Town Council Meeting approved the Community Engagement Plan seeking residents' concerns with the pending legalized retail sale and personal cultivation of non-medical (recreational) Cannabis.
You can participate in two discussion forums: (1) Growing non-medical cannabis at home, and (2) Cannabis in Public Places. You can also ask a question in the Q& A tab.
