Cannabis has been moving from counterculture to mainstream for a long time, but the shift that is set to happen next year will still take a lot of Canadians by surprise. Legalization of cannabis is a seismic event. It validates what the majority of residents have been discovering for a long time. Just look at what’s happening already in Ontario, where the government has announced its plans to open its own network of retail stores.
Pending the passage of legislation, Canada will become the first G20 nation to formally legalize and regulate cannabis at the federal level. We now find ourselves not at the end of prohibition, but at the beginning of a long process of dismantling old cannabis laws and building a new regulatory system that makes sense for all Canadians.
In doing so, we can’t ignore the concerns of those unsure of how legalization will affect their communities. Much will depend on seeing a successful, cooperative approach to the new legislation. In Vancouver this month, the design of such an approach is shaping up to be a hot topic at the annual gathering of B.C.-wide municipal leaders hosted by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM).
Downloading duties onto local governments is the issue that worries community leaders the most. Public safety issues come next, followed by a general sense that respect for local government jurisdiction and authority is at risk. And then there are all kinds of other questions, touching on age limits, revenue sharing, driver safety and where cannabis can be consumed in public
Having canvassed a wide spectrum of opinions, UBCM is staking out some ground that will protect local interests.
One thing is clear: we are facing a short time frame for implementation of a new legalized regime. And that is why the debut of this new magazine, BotaniQ, is so timely. As cannabis and its versatile compounds continue to defy a lot of the old marijuana stereotypes, there has been a need for a publication that covers cannabis issues and lifestyles. And here it is at last. I am thrilled to bring you the first issue ofBotaniQ.
BotaniQ aims to offer a uniquely sophisticated perspective on the subject of cannabis in Canada today. Working in collaboration with the editors of Vancouver magazine, we aim to cover cannabis issues and lifestyles with insight, warmth, and wit.Don’t worry, we won’t be shying away from the policy issues that underpin this transition. The plan is to publishBotaniQ four times a year: in September, December,
Don’t worry, we won’t be shying away from the policy issues that underpin this transition. The plan is to publishBotaniQ four times a year: in September, December, March, and June. There is no shortage of material.In this, our first issue, BotaniQ will be looking at the diverse range of voices shaping the great Canadian cannabis debate. We’ll be taking you inside the best-designed dispensaries in B.C. We have a profile of the new wave of entrepreneurs who are pouring their passion into accelerating the growth of the cannabis industry. And our interview with Jim Cessford shouldn’t be missed if you are interested in the law enforcement issues around cannabis dispensaries. Cessford served as a police officer for 47 years and brings a unique perspective to the conversation, committed as he is to ethics, public trust, professionalism, and safety.
In this, our first issue, BotaniQ will be looking at the diverse range of voices shaping the great Canadian cannabis debate. We’ll be taking you inside the best-designed dispensaries in B.C. We have a profile of the new wave of entrepreneurs who are pouring their passion into accelerating the growth of the cannabis industry. And our interview with Jim Cessford shouldn’t be missed if you are interested in the law enforcement issues around cannabis dispensaries. Cessford served as a police officer for 47 yBotaniQ Magazineears and brings a unique perspective to the conversation, committed as he is to ethics, public trust, professionalism, and safety.
Getting this far has taken real leadership from our government for a large-scale and responsible public-health approach to this still-controversial topic. Now please joinBotaniQ as this amazing journey unfolds.
