Cannabis in Saskatchewan

Although the federal government passed the Cannabis Act, also known as Bill C-45, Cannabis in Saskatchewan remains illegal for recreational use until the Act comes into force on October 17, 2018. Police and prosecution services in all Canadian jurisdictions are currently capable of pursuing criminal charges for cannabis (legal term marijuana) possession and for marketing without a license issued by Health Canada.[1][2][3]

Industrial cannabis

Commercial cultivation of industrial cannabis was banned in Canada in 1938, but as of 1928 1,640 acres of cannabis were grown in Canada, with 200 of those acres being in Rhein, Saskatchewan.[4]

Medical cannabis

By late-2017 there were at least 10 cannabis storefronts in Regina, ostensibly selling medical cannabis to those with a doctor's note, though one retailer noted that some stores were selling to anyone over the age of 19. The Regina Police Service noted that cannabis dispensaries are illegal nationwide, and clarified: "The fact that we have not laid charges (yet) with respect to marijuana dispensaries in Regina doesn't make them legal."[5]

2018 Framework for Regulating Cannabis

With the passing of the Cannabis Act, also known as Bill C-45, the government of Saskatchewan released a framework for cannabis legalization in March 2018.[6] The Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming (SLGA) was given the responsibility of overseeing retail and wholesale sales of cannabis, through a permitting process. The framework, quoted below, outlined how the province would regulate distribution, sale and use of cannabis, including the following:

  • Minimum age for non-medicinal cannabis consumption will be 19 years of age;
  • Zero tolerance for all drug-impaired drivers in the province;
  • Consuming cannabis in public spaces will be prohibited for public health considerations. Consumption will also be prohibited in schools and daycares.
  • Saskatchewan is introducing legislation to prohibit the possession of any amount by a minor. Possession of smaller amounts, by a minor, will be addressed primarily through ticketing and seizure of the cannabis, in accordance with the provincial Act. Possession of more than five grams will be a criminal offence subject to the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
  • The province will adopt the federal minimum standards around home production, including a limit of four plants per household.

References

  1. ↑ Benzie, Robert (3 December 2016). "Trudeau urges police to 'enforce the law' on marijuana". Toronto Star. Toronto. Retrieved 4 December 2016. A "frustrated" Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wants police to enforce the law and criminally charge illegal marijuana dispensaries.
  2. ↑ "Controlled Drugs and Substances Act – Schedule II". Government of Canada. 6 November 2012. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  3. ↑ "Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations". laws-lois.justice.gc.ca. Retrieved 2015-07-05.
  4. ↑ Report of the Minister of Agriculture for Canada. Queen's Printer and Controller of Stationery. 1927. p. 15.
  5. ↑ http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/marijuana-dispensaries-increase-regina-1.4377598
  6. ↑ "Saskatchewan Cannabis Framework Released". Government of Saskatchewan. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.