In the latest instalment of our provincial election question and answer series, Powell River Peak asks candidates in the Powell River-Sunshine Coast riding about the tricky business of selling marijuana once the federal government legalizes the drug in 2018. [Editor’s note: BC Cascadia Party candidate Reuben Richards did not provide a submission.]
How should BC handle the sale of marijuana once it is legalized?
Nicholas Simons, BC New Democratic Party
This is an opportunity for BC to create jobs, save money on the criminal justice system and raise revenue for important programs and services.
Recognizing public health and community safety as a priority; we should ensure our economy will benefit, so it is essential that we are prepared with effective and smart regulations. BC New Democrats have been studying other jurisdictions to determine what has worked and what has not.
Our local, small-scale craft growers should be protected so the benefits of the industry can extend to rural areas of our province.
We will engage the federal government in discussions around jurisdiction and decision-making concerning licensing and production because, currently, this is solely a federal responsibility.
While the federal law treating marijuana as more harmful than alcohol remains a problem, as do some proposed penalties, we should be prepared to revisit these laws as we learn. Any roadside measurement technique designed to detect impaired driving must be scientifically valid.
The minimum age is set at 18 in the proposed federal legislation, despite the recommendation that the age be set at 21, and that's worthy of a debate.
We would have only one year to sort out the complex issues, including licensing, production, testing, distribution and taxation. We will work with other levels of government to implement policies that maximize community safety and quality of life. Well-paying, community-supporting jobs that provide revenue for the province should be encouraged, as long as public health and community safety issues are satisfactorily addressed.
Nicholas Simons was first elected MLA for Powell River-Sunshine Coast in 2005. Before entering politics, he spent more than 15 years working in health, justice, social services and child welfare, including 10 years as director of health and social services for Sechelt (shíshálh) First Nation. Simons, an accomplished cellist, is also a past president of the Sunshine Coast Arts Council.
Mathew Wilson, BC Liberal Party
BC Liberal Party is committed to introducing appropriate regulations governing the consumption and sale of cannabis in British Columbia. These regulations will be developed in a manner that is practical and safe for all British Columbians, with the health and safety of our children our top priority.
To achieve that goal, we will work with health and public safety officials to ensure that regulations implemented meet our three principles on cannabis legalization: keep it out of the hands of minors, keep the profits out of organized crime, and ensure quality control and appropriate labelling.
We will work with local government with respect to appropriate site requirements and target revenues that come to government, including the sale of cannabis, prevention, researching potential health impacts, educating our children about the dangers of irresponsible drug use and funding substance-abuse treatment and recovery centres. In addition, a portion of these revenues will go toward mental-health programs.
Raised on the Sunshine Coast, with family in Powell River, Mathew Wilson currently lives in Roberts Creek and is father to two daughters. He works for the federal government; 10 years in Ottawa, most recently five years commuting to work in Vancouver. Among his many experiences is five years of negotiating agreements with first nations on resource economic development and residential school claims.
Kim Darwin, BC Green Party
First and foremost, we will base any decisions on evidence and youth-harm-reduction strategies. We recognize it can be a small, local business opportunity to allow distribution in marijuana dispensaries. However, only so long as they fully comply with regulations, laws and standards of public safety.
It also makes sense for the sale and distribution of marijuana to be executed by trained pharmacists in pharmacies. There are many advantages to this approach.
Pharmacists are trained to identify a variety of drug interactions. Having a single drug database will allow them to track patient’s other drug uses to determine if there may be any drug conflicts. Pharmacists discuss risks, benefits, alternatives and side effects of all sorts of drugs. Marijuana is just another drug.
Having marijuana dispensed in a regular pharmacy could also reduce stigma for patients who currently obtain their marijuana prescriptions from independent dispensaries.
I spoke to a member of a standing committee on health who indicated that the British Columbia Pharmacy Association would need assurance of consistency and standardization within the marijuana industry. Whether marijuana is dispensed in a dispensary or pharmacy, there must be assurance if they prescribe a particular weight or measurement, the patient is receiving a consistent dose in each measurement.
Neighbouring provinces will have to collaborate on marijuana taxation and pricing. It could be problematic to have different models. Taxing and pricing will have to be such that it discourages black-market dealers, while ensuring program cost effectiveness.
In addition to raising three wonderful children, Kim Darwin was a legal assistant for 16 years before opening her own mortgage-broker business. She is president of the Sechelt Chamber of Commerce and was the elected provincial council secretary for the BC Green Party for two and a half years. She is an herbalist, having studied traditional Chinese, Ayurvedic and Western herbal medicine.
Next week’s question: Why are you the best candidate for this riding?
