Cannabis may soon be legal in Canada, taking effect this year on Oct. 17, but the provincial government says there’s still work to be done even once it’s legalized.
In a statement Wednesday, public safety minister and solicitor general Mike Farnworth said that the date set for legalization is “just the beginning.”
“The legalization of cannabis is complex, and the province is committed to monitoring the implementation and making any adjustments necessary to meet our provincial goals,” he said.
Farnworth said the province will continue to engage stakeholder groups after legalization, including local and Indigenous governments, “to ensure specific interests and concerns are addressed.”
The provincial government released its framework for retail sales of cannabis in April, which allows for a mix of public and private retailers to sell product, similar to how alcohol is already sold.
“We’re now focused on developing the regulations and supporting policies for the implementation of our provincial regulatory regime,” Farnworth said.
“We are also working on provincial public awareness and education campaigns, to ensure British Columbians have the information they need regarding legalization and our provincial regulations when they come into force.”
