Justice and Public Safety
August 24, 2017
Provincial Government Releases Results of Cannabis Consultation
The Provincial Government today released the results of the recent consultation related to the legalization of cannabis in Newfoundland and Labrador. Legalization of Cannabis: Report on Public and Stakeholder Engagement can be viewed online at www.justice.gov.nl.ca/just/publications/Legalization_Cannabis_Report_Public_Stakeholder_Engagement.pdf
Launched in June, the consultation process consisted of an online questionnaire, in-person meetings with targeted stakeholders in St. John’s, Corner Brook and Labrador City, and the opportunity for interested parties to make written submissions. Close to 2,600 people submitted online questionnaires, making it the highest response rate for any Provincial Government online questionnaire to date. Approximately 120 people attended the in-person sessions and seven formal written submissions were received.
Generally, the results show broad agreement on some issues, such as the legal age requirement, regulating smoking and vaping cannabis in the same way that we do tobacco and establishing additional provincial penalties for drug-impaired driving similar to those for alcohol. Responses varied on other issues, including possible distribution models.
Government will use this information, alongside other research and analysis, to develop evidence-based provincial policy and legislation. It expects to announce policy decisions and introduce legislation over the course of the next year to be ready for federal legislation when it comes into force.
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“I thank those who participated in this consultation process. The legalization of cannabis impacts virtually every Newfoundlander and Labradorian and the input provided will be valuable as we develop policy and legislation that is in the best interests of this province. Since the Federal Government announced its intention to legalize cannabis, our goals have remained the same: keep cannabis out of the hands of our children; keep the profits from the sale of these drugs out of the pockets of criminals; and ensure that public safety is not compromised.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons
Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General
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Learn More
Legalization of Cannabis: Report on Public and Stakeholder Engagement - www.justice.gov.nl.ca/just/publications/Legalization_Cannabis_Report_Public_Stakeholder_Engagement.pdf
Public Asked to Provide Input on Legalization of Cannabis in Newfoundland and Labrador - www.gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/just/0609n01.aspx
Provincial Government Commits to Working with Federal Government to Implement Cannabis Legislation - www.gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/just/0413n07.aspx
To learn more about the current status of cannabis laws in Canada, and the work being done to legalize and regulate it, visit the Government of Canada’s online resource - www.canada.ca/en/services/policing/justice/legalization-regulation-marijuana.html.
To read about the work of the Federal Task Force on Cannabis Legalization and Regulation - healthycanadians.gc.ca/task-force-marijuana-groupe-etude/index-eng.php?_ga=2.199745390.1556850026.1496752844-1053042856.1489169506
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Media contact
Lesley Clarke
Justice and Public Safety
709-729-6985, 699-2910
LesleyClarke@gov.nl.ca
2017 08 24 9:05 a.m.