Feds stick with July 2018 deadline to legalize pot despite provincial worries
OTTAWA — The Trudeau government is sticking with its deadline to legalize recreational marijuana by July 2018, despite provincial fears that there’s not enough time to address the legal, social and health challenges of ending Canada’s pot prohibition.
The federal Liberals delivered that message Monday after Manitoba’s finance minister said he felt rushed by Ottawa’s tight timeline and asked for an extension.
In making his argument, Cameron Friesen said the provinces are bearing the bulk of the work involved, as well as the “very real” costs needed to create a regulated cannabis market.
The federal government introduced legislation in April, with a goal of legalizing and regulating the use of recreational marijuana by July 2018.