Close to 50K take part in B.C. pot consultations

Nov 2, 2017 | 12:13 PM

KAMLOOPS — The provincial government claims “an unprecedented number of people” shared their views during its five week public engagement period on the legalization of marijuana this fall.

The consultation drew more than 127,000 visitors to the BC Cannabis Regulation Engagement website with just over 48,000 British Columbians filling out the feedback form.

Those taking part shared their views on such topics as minimum age, personal possession limits, public consumption, drug-impaired driving, personal cultivation, and distribution and retail models. Another 800 opinions were recevied through a random telephone survey.

The government also received over 130 written submissions from organizations including local governments, school districts, cannabis industry, advocacy groups and law enforcement.

The Province says the feedback will help ensure the provincial regulatory framework for non-medical cannabis reflects the needs and values of all residents while prioritizing the protection of young people, health and safety, keeping the criminal element out of cannabis and keeping roads safe.

The Ministry of Public Safety and Solictor General will review and analyze the feedback and create a summary report based on what it heard from the public.

All of this in anticipation of the federal government’s plan to legalize cannabis by July 2018.