Breaking News - Tariff Support - The Chamber is your source for Tariff Updates. Check out our page for the latest Tariff Resources, SUpport & Events
Peterborough + Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff Directory
    • Careers
  • Events
    • Calendar
    • Host a Chamber Event
    • Monthly >
      • The Business Exchange (TBX)
      • ChamberAM
      • Not-for-Profit Group (NFP)
    • Annual >
      • Luminary Awards
      • Seniors Showcase
      • PK Excellence
    • Campaigns and Connections >
      • Sales Lead Network
      • 26 Coffees
      • #lovelocalptbokawarthas campaign
    • 26 Coffees Program
  • Membership
    • Join Us
    • Benefits >
      • Chambers Plan
    • Profile and Sponsorships
    • Resources
    • Members Only
  • News
    • Voice of Business Podcast
    • Voice of Business
    • The Business Beat
    • Subscribe to e-Newsletter
  • Resource Hub
  • Directory
  • Advocacy
    • Policy Resolutions
    • Advocacy at Work
    • Advocacy Wins
    • Subscribe to e-Newsletter
  • Breaking News - Tariff Support
    • Updates
    • Resources
    • Support
    • Trade Analytics
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff Directory
    • Careers
  • Events
    • Calendar
    • Host a Chamber Event
    • Monthly >
      • The Business Exchange (TBX)
      • ChamberAM
      • Not-for-Profit Group (NFP)
    • Annual >
      • Luminary Awards
      • Seniors Showcase
      • PK Excellence
    • Campaigns and Connections >
      • Sales Lead Network
      • 26 Coffees
      • #lovelocalptbokawarthas campaign
    • 26 Coffees Program
  • Membership
    • Join Us
    • Benefits >
      • Chambers Plan
    • Profile and Sponsorships
    • Resources
    • Members Only
  • News
    • Voice of Business Podcast
    • Voice of Business
    • The Business Beat
    • Subscribe to e-Newsletter
  • Resource Hub
  • Directory
  • Advocacy
    • Policy Resolutions
    • Advocacy at Work
    • Advocacy Wins
    • Subscribe to e-Newsletter
  • Breaking News - Tariff Support
    • Updates
    • Resources
    • Support
    • Trade Analytics

The private Sector Role in distribution of recreational marijuana

4/20/2017

 
Picture
That the federal government introduced the ‘Cannabis Act’ recently is not a surprise.  It was part of the 2015 election platform.  The goal of the proposed ‘Cannabis Act’ is to create a strict legal framework for controlling the production,
distribution, sale and possession of cannabis across Canada.   In a Financial Post article in October 2015, it was stated that legalizing recreational marijuana would create a market worth up to $5 billion.  

At the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) Annual General Meeting (AGM) in May 2016, the Chamber Network voted and passed a resolution encouraging the provincial government to do the following: 
  1. Work with the federal government to introduce a modern, legal framework for recreational marijuana production and distribution
  2. Coordinate with the federal government to develop effective health and safety regulations that will ensure consumer safety and protect Canadian youth throughout the production and distribution of marijuana for recreational use
  3. Investigate and implement a retail and distributions policy that preserves consumer choice, ensures a level playing field and adherence to regulations and restrictions, and does not offer special treatment to any person or organization. 
The network of chambers of commerce and boards of trade across Canada also voted in favour of similar recommendations to the federal government in September 2016 at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting.  

In September 2016, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, with the support of the network, also sent a letter to the provincial government suggesting five guiding principles when developing the policy around design of a recreational marijuana distribution system.  

With the tabling of the ‘Cannabis Act’ there are clearly defined roles for the federal, provincial and territorial governments.  The federal government will design the framework to legalize recreational use of marijuana and the provincial and territorial governments will develop legislation around distribution and sales.  

Given the role the provincial government will play heading toward implementation in July 2018, it is worth highlighting the five design principles related to distribution that the OCC wrote about last fall. 

Eliminate the underground economy: Ensure that the chosen market model is not so overly regulated or onerous that it duplicates the current regime thus sustaining illegal channels for production and distribution

Limit points of access: A licensing system, whereby a fixed number of access points are auctioned out to both the public and private sectors, may be a more efficient model of regulated delivery.  The OCC also suggests creating a service delivery competition to spur innovation around best-practice social responsibility standards

Communities must be empowered: Engage local governments in the decision-making process with the awareness that some have voted against production and/or distribution facilities

Invest in addiction prevention and treatment: Invest any revenues from the legalization of marijuana into addiction prevention and treatment with a portion given to the municipal level of government so as to ensure programming is tailored to local need.  Report annually to the Ontario’s Patient Ombudsman on the impact of the investment of marijuana revenues on addiction prevention and treatment

Ensure products are subject to best-practice health regulation: Work with the federal government to study the health implications of recreational marijuana and develop evidence-based health and safety regulations 

The desired outcome of a marijuana strategy is one that includes the private sector as an effective partner in a socially responsible distribution system and that municipal governments also have a seat at the table in the development process of a strategy.

In response to the letter from the OCC, the Ontario government said it was participating in the federal government task force that consulted with jurisdictions. The Ontario government also stated that an inter-ministry committee has begun research and background work and will take a steady approach in shaping a marijuana legislation framework. 
​
For more information: www.canada.ca/en/services/health/campaigns/legalizing-strictly-regulating-
cannabis-facts.html


Comments are closed.

    Author

    The Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce acts as a catalyst to enhance business growth, opportunity, innovation, partnerships and a diverse business community. 

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    January 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Copyright Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce.  ​All rights reserved.
175 George Street North, Peterborough, ON, K9J 3G6
Phone: (705) 748-9771  |  (705) 743-2331  
Home    |    Calendar    |   Site Map   |    Privacy    |    Accessibility
Join the Chamber
Picture
MemberClicks