N.B. Working Group on Marijuana Recommends Against Private Sector Retail Model
The New Brunswick government’s working group on marijuana legalization says the minimum age for consuming marijuana should be 19, and that it should sold through a crown corporation based on what the working group learned from researching private-sector delivery models in the legal states in the U.S.
“When Colorado and Washington legalized cannabis, they moved directly to a private delivery model that resulted in a large number of private cannabis businesses,” says the report. “These states have since found it difficult to impose regulation on this private sector and keep out the illegal market. Government-controlled retail could also prevent stores from being set up in lower-income areas or vulnerable communities as experienced in Colorado and Washington.”
The working group researched three options before making its recommendation:
- Public model: Government-operated stores analogous to the New Brunswick Liquor Corporation. Products would be sold in stand-alone retail outlets apart from current liquor outlets.
- Private model: Private businesses licensed by the provincial government to operate. The provincial government would establish a licensing, compliance, inspection and enforcement program.
- Mixed public/private model: Much like the current liquor model, cannabis sold at both government-controlled stores as well as through private businesses in agency stores, craft brewers and select grocery stores.
The working group decided that a public model best served the safety and health interests of New Brunswickers.
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“It is envisioned that retail operations will be limited to cannabis and associated products in separate locations from liquor and will be strategically placed away from areas frequented by youth (schools, parks, playgrounds, sports fields/arenas),” says the report. “Further restrictions could be applied, limiting the number or stores, limiting the hours of operations and not permitting youth in retail areas.”
The working group considered four age limits, based on current medical research and limits set by U.S. states: 18, 19, 21 and 25. The upper limits were considered because of research that says marijuana use can impede brain development in youth and young adults.
“Medical experts report that youth are at a high risk of negative physical and mental health outcomes and that this risk remains high until the brain is fully developed at age 25,” says the report.
Ultimately, they decided to recommend 19 as the legal age, aligned with the minimum age to consume alcohol.
“If the minimum legal age to purchase cannabis were greater than 19, young people would likely use the illegal market to access it,” says the report. “This would go against one of the main reasons for legalizing cannabis, which is to eliminate the illegal market and the harms associated with an unregulated product.”
The working group is comprised of senior officials from the departments of Justice and Public Safety, Health and Finance, as well as the New Brunswick Liquor Corporation and Opportunities NB.
In a press release, the government says the select committee on cannabis – made up of government members and official opposition members – will hold public consultations this summer using the interim report and its recommendations as a discussion guide.
The select committee will table its report in September. The provincial government will develop the final framework for recreational cannabis this fall.