After being considered illegal in Canada for almost a century, marijuana is now legal for Canadians to use and purchase recreationally.
Barring any last minute obstruction, anyone over the age of 19 in Manitoba and Saskatchewan can now purchase, possess and consume marijuana without needing medical permission to do so. The move is intended to take a multi-billion dollar industry out from the grip of the underground.
It is not only roll-and-smoke cannabis that is now legal. Under federal law, users are able to possess and share up to 30 grams of cannabis and buy fresh or dried cannabis and cannabis oil from provincially licensed retailers. In some areas of the country, including Saskatchewan but not Manitoba, people will be allowed to grow up to four cannabis plants per residence for personal use. Federal laws allow for home growing, but a provincial law will prevent recreation home growing in Manitoba.
Wendy Garuk, a Flin Flon resident, does not smoke marijuana, but does use cannabidiol (CBD) oil, a cannabis derivative that does not include active ingredient THC and does not produce any discernible high. CBD oil, along with other similar cannabis-based oils, will be fully legal to use and possess as of Oct. 17. Users say the oil can treat a wide variety of ailments, although formal medical literature on the oil is scarce. Garuk said she uses the oil to help with joint pain and migraines.
“I took it mostly to help with my joints and to give me a little bit more energy. It’s done both. I find that it works really good for me,” she said.
Other cannabis-derived products, including edibles like cannabis-infused candy, baked goods and other foods, are slated to be authorized before July 1, 2019.
In Flin Flon, no brick-and-mortar retail outlet will be immediately open to sell cannabis. In Manitoba, any aspiring cannabis retailer must apply to the province for a permit. After receiving a permit, the potential seller must then be allowed to operate by the municipality they hope to sell in.
Some municipalities, like Gimli, have said they will not allow any cannabis retail operation. Earlier this year, Flin Flon city council stated it would be open to allowing retailers to set up shop in Flin Flon.
Mayor Cal Huntley said city council has already updated zoning bylaws to allow for a cannabis retail store to open in the uptown business area.
“The ball is sort of in the court of whatever entrepreneur wants to get licensed. It’s not an individual thing, it’s through the province,” he said.
“We have already, more or less, agreed in principle that we would be open to having that sort of a business. If someone wanted to legitimately open a regulated shop in the community in a properly zoned area, we’re not going to turn that down.”
While there will not be a physical area for cannabis sale in Flin Flon open on Oct. 17, both Manitoba and Saskatchewan have allowed online sales from a list of approved private retailers, allowing Flin Flon and Creighton residents to purchase cannabis and related products over the internet.
Concerns about legalization have been more about technicalities and confusion with the legalization process than about marijuana itself. Both Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe have said federally mandated deadlines on provincial matters regarding legalization did not leave provinces with enough time to ensure a smooth rollout.
Some municipal and business officials have also voiced concerns, including Huntley.
“I think the one thing we’re all concerned about is we actually don’t know what kind of costs are going to be incurred by communities once marijuana is legalized. There’s workplace health and safety issues, there’s driving issues, there are still things that are kind of up in the air,” he said.
“The other thing that we’re not sure on is that we get a fair share of the tax dollars that are generated, because we’re probably going to face most of the concerns that come from this legalization. There’s so many unknowns – it’s ridiculous.”
“It could be a mess. All the organization and everything, it seems loose-ended,” said Carl Lentowicz, Denare Beach mayor, at the Oct. 9 meeting of the Flin Flon and District Chamber of Commerce.
Becky Cianflone, chamber president elect, said some groups affiliated with the chamber plan to hold information sessions with businesses about how legal cannabis could impact both operations and employees.
“I think we’re going to see ten years of court challenges as the legislation actually gets defined better,” she predicted.
Cianflone added that Flin Flon’s position on a provincial border could lead to complications down the line, considering both Manitoba and Saskatchewan have differing cannabis policies.
“For example, in Saskatchewan, people can grow four plants per household. On the Manitoba side, you’re not allowed any self-cultivation. There are some interesting things, even province to province,” she said. Aside from municipal and business concerns, others have taken issue with the companies approved to sell cannabis. While Flin Flon-born plant medicine advocate Derek Kemp thinks legalizing marijuana is a positive move, he has issues with the way some governments have allowed large companies to legally produce and sell, while long-term advocates and farmers are ignored.
“On some levels it’s a good thing, but on other levels it’s bad. It really depends. I’m happy that it’s going to be legal, for the fact that it will be widely available to people and it could change stigma around using it,” he said.
“The way that they’re going about legalizing it isn’t really good. There’s all the different craft growers who have been doing their thing for decades and decades, campaigning to get it legalized and growing it and developing it, learning about it, then you have government stepping in and monopolizing it and allowing a small number of large companies to mass-produce it. You have all the dispensaries that are doing it right now, in the grey areas of the law, that are not going to be able to apply for licences until legalization day. Those licences could take months or years to process.”
RCMP officers have taken extra steps to prepare themselves for legalization. Creighton RCMP Sgt. Sean McPhee said the detachment has a certified drug recognition expert on staff and will be closely monitoring cannabis in the same way it monitors alcohol use and abuse.
“We’re here and ready for it to go,” he said at the Oct. 10 Creighton town council meeting.
McPhee said federal and provincial laws will restrict where people can use cannabis.
“There are very specific areas where you can smoke it. Basically, it boils down to your home,” he said, adding that officers will be able to determine if someone driving a vehicle has used any cannabis product by a saliva test. In both Manitoba and Saskatchewan, penalties for driving under the influence of cannabis will begin if a driver tests positive for cannabis levels of two nanograms or higher.
Despite objections and confusion, one thing is clear – cannabis is now legal, under tight controls and is available for purchase and sale.
“As far as legalization, it’s about time. I don’t see the negative effects it has,” said Garuk.
What is the minimum age for cannabis?
Manitoba - 19: Minors cannot consumer or possess any cannabis
Saskatchewan - 19: minors cannot consume or possess more than five grams of cannabis
How much cannabis can someone have in public?
MB - 30 grams
SK - 30 grams
Where can someone use cannabis?
MB - Not in any public space, including schools or workplaces
SK - Not in any public space, including schools or workplaces
Can someone grow their own cannabis at home?
MB - No home growing allowed
SK - Up to four plants per household; condo owners and renters will need landlord approval
How will police find drivers who have used cannabis and what will be the maximum allowed amount?
MB - Testing done through saliva; two nanograms or more can mean vehicle seizures, suspensions and fines
SK - Testing done through saliva; two nanograms or more can mean, vehicle seizures, suspensions and fines
Who will supply marijuana?
MB - Regulated by Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries
SK - Regulated by Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority
Edibles and concentrates
MB - Not currently legal
SK - Not currently legal
How many retail stores will sell cannabis?
MB - Up to 10 stores province-wide, owned and operated by four province-approved companies
SK - 51 permits issued for retail operations by province, between 10 and 12 stores likely to open on Oct. 17
How much will it cost?
MB - Pricing “will be competitive with the black market,” likely around $10 per gram
SK - Pricing similar to existing prices, according to province, likely around $10 per gram
