â–º Listen Live

MP Gerry Ritz reacts to Marijuana Legislation

On April 13, the Liberal government tabled marijuana legislation, which MP Gerry Ritz says is “very concerning.”

“We’ve got the Prime Minister and his cabinet ministers making this earth-shattering announcement with very few details and a lot of the work left up to lower levels of government,” says MP Ritz.

One of the areas of concern is the time frame according to MP Ritz.

“July 1, 2018, well you know dates are arbitrary, but I am concerned. From now on it will be know as Cannabis Day and not Canada Day, and not to make a joke out of it but certainly it is disconcerting.”

The legal minimum age set out by the Liberal government is currently 18, however the provinces are able to increase that if they wish. MP Ritz says 18 is too low.

“The medical profession in Canada has said that no one under the age of 25 should be a regular user of cannabis, of marijuana, because there is still brain developments going on. The Liberals have come out and said they’ll set the age at 18 and the province can adjust that just like the liquor availability now. It can be 18, it can be 21, it can 19 but 18 is still very concerning.”

MP Ritz adds that “we’ve got a lot of problems that this country needs to be addressing, long before we get to the legalization of marijuana.” One of those problems he says is the opioid crisis.

“We’ve got a fentanyl/opioid crisis in Canada, a lot of people are dying simply by taking this with poisonous substances that are mixed into it, overdoses and so on and we’re not really seeing any sort of concerted effort to get on top of that. Now we’re adding insult to injury by legalizing all of this.”

MP Ritz adds, “certainly it was a campaign promise but at the end of the day, it might have been better to take a step back and take a little longer to make sure they get this right.”

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Town of Wainwright has lowest cost of living in Alberta

Overall for 2024, on all items, Wainwright comes in at 92.5 meaning its about eight per cent cheaper to buy something in Wainwright compared to Edmonton. Lloydminster comes in at 94.6, meaning prices on average are about two per cent more expensive than Wainwright.

Road expansion for Cenovus Energy Hub begins July 15

If your regular commute takes you along 40 Avenue, from July 15 you will have to adjust that as Lloydminster road crews will lead road upgrades near the soon to be completed Cenovus Energy Hub.

Grace United cancels Sunday service following small fire

In the aftermath of the minor fire at Grace United Church, Lloydminster on Thursday July 3, Sunday service has been cancelled as the church deals with cleanup.

Lloydminster fire crews put out minor fire at Grace United Church

A minor fire at Grace United Church in downtown Lloydminster engaged the efforts of Lloydminster fire crews on Thursday, July 3.

Parade Marshals announced for Lloyd Ex

With the Lloyd Ex Fair celebrating 120 years, the prestigious role of the Parade Marshals to herald the start of the summer festival are Terence Bexson of Marshall and Lyle & Alison Lee of Lloydminster.
- Advertisement -