JungleStrikeGuy
Well-Known Member
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/legalized-marijuana-impaired-driving-concerns-1.3806797
The federal government's plan to legalize marijuana has some provincial politicians raising concerns about drug-impaired driving.
Three provincial justice ministers made a point of highlighting the issue Friday at the conclusion of a meeting in Halifax between federal Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould and her provincial and territorial counterparts.
Ontario Attorney General Yasir Naqvi was the first to bring it up during a news conference, saying the province is also keen to ensure there are measures to protect youth and focus on harm reduction.
Opposition critics have warned that the Liberal agenda on legalizing cannabis is moving too quickly. And the New Democrats have warned that the issue of road safety could be a major obstacle to the party's support of any future bill.
As well, there remain tough questions about what constitutes a safe level of tetrahydrocannabinol or THC — the active ingredient in cannabis — in the body of a motorist.
In 2013, 97 per cent of accidents in Canada relating to impaired driving were alcohol related. The other three per cent were linked to drugs.
Wilson-Raybould reminded her colleagues that a federal task force is expected to submit recommendations next month, and she confirmed that Ottawa is sticking to its plan to table legislation next spring.
"We are committed to strict regulation and restricting access," Wilson-Raybould said. "That has everything to do with a concerted and productive relationship with our provincial and territorial counterparts."
The federal government's plan to legalize marijuana has some provincial politicians raising concerns about drug-impaired driving.
Three provincial justice ministers made a point of highlighting the issue Friday at the conclusion of a meeting in Halifax between federal Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould and her provincial and territorial counterparts.
Ontario Attorney General Yasir Naqvi was the first to bring it up during a news conference, saying the province is also keen to ensure there are measures to protect youth and focus on harm reduction.
Opposition critics have warned that the Liberal agenda on legalizing cannabis is moving too quickly. And the New Democrats have warned that the issue of road safety could be a major obstacle to the party's support of any future bill.
As well, there remain tough questions about what constitutes a safe level of tetrahydrocannabinol or THC — the active ingredient in cannabis — in the body of a motorist.
In 2013, 97 per cent of accidents in Canada relating to impaired driving were alcohol related. The other three per cent were linked to drugs.
Wilson-Raybould reminded her colleagues that a federal task force is expected to submit recommendations next month, and she confirmed that Ottawa is sticking to its plan to table legislation next spring.
"We are committed to strict regulation and restricting access," Wilson-Raybould said. "That has everything to do with a concerted and productive relationship with our provincial and territorial counterparts."
