Tina Trigiani
Many have been pushing for this, for years, but opponents say it will only lead to more issues, specifically on the roads.
A report, obtained by the Canadian Press, warns the legalization of
marijuana has the potential to lead to a significant increase in the
number of drug-impaired driving cases.
That warning to the Federal Justice Minister, Jody Wilson-Raybould,
was based on data from both Colorado and Washington. Both states have
legalized the recreational use of marijuana, and have seen the number of
drug-impaired driving cases “jump dramatically.”
Former Toronto Police Chief and current local MP Bill Blair, the
Liberal point man on the legalization issue has acknowledged the
possibility exists, but Ottawa is currently studying the issue.
“There could be an increase, and that’s why it’s so important
that we do the work right up front, to educate Canadians, and to provide
law enforcement and the justice system with the tools they need to
control that illegal behavior on our roadways. We have good tools for
alcohol. We do not currently have good tools for cannabis so we’re doing
the research. We’re doing the work. And we will make the amendments to
the law to provide law enforcement with the ability to keep our roadways
safe.”
The Trudeau government is expected to introduce a bill to legalize marijuana use in the spring of 2017.
Meantime, The Government of Canada has announced it will make a
marijuana-related announcement at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, with further
details coming specifically from Health Canada.
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