Yesterday, the House of Commons voted on Bill C-45 – An Act respecting cannabis and to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Criminal Code and other Acts (the Government's legislation to legalize marijuana in Canada). With the Liberals and the NDP voting in favour of the bill, it has now passed at Third Reading and will move to consideration in the Senate. Larry Miller, Member of Parliament for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, voted against the legislation.

Throughout the entire consideration of Bill C-45, numerous stakeholder groups, community associations, police organizations, healthcare professionals, provincial governments and more have expressed concerns about the dangers of marijuana legalization – particularly with how fast the Government is moving forward. Police have stated numerous times that they currently do not yet have the tools and training for roadside detection of marijuana and healthcare professionals have expressed concern over the use of marijuana by youth.

Despite these concerns, the Government is moving forward. Recently, they announced a new consultation process on the Proposed Approach to the Regulation of Cannabis.
Typically, consultations on regulations take place after the enabling legislation has received Royal Assent. However, the Government has changed the process for Bill C-45 to meet their arbitrary deadline of full legalization by July 1st, 2018. They are consulting on regulations dealing with: packaging, who should be licenced to produce marijuana, and even whether or not individuals with a history of marijuana related offences should "become part of the legal cannabis community".

"I have heard loud and clear from my constituents, stakeholder groups, police organizations, healthcare professionals and many others that they are not comfortable with the rushed and dangerous approach that the Government is taking when it comes to marijuana legalization," said Miller. "This new consultation is another example of the Government moving forward and rushing the process simply to meet a political and selfimposed deadline. That being said, it is important for all of those who have concerns to participate in the consultation and make your voices heard."

Those wishing to participate in the consultation process should visit; https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/programs/consultation-proposed-approachregulation-cannabis/proposed-approach-regulation-cannabis.html.

source: media release, MP Larry Miller