Canada’s Minister of Health responded to questions about age limits, intoxicated driving, and international treaties as it relates to the government’s pledge to legalize marijuana

Canada’s Minister of Health, the Honourable Jane Philpott, took questions today in the Senate’s Question Period, responding to numerous questions about various issues under Health Canada’s review, including two separate questions relating to cannabis legalization.

The first question on marijuana legalization came from Senator Claude Carignan, the Conservative Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, who asked Minister Philpott why the government was rejecting the Canadian Medical Association’s’ recommendation that an age limit of 21 be set for recreational cannabis at a national level.

The CMA also recommended that quantities and the potency of marijuana be more restricted to those under age 25 to discourage use and sharing with underage friends.

The second question came later from Senator Linda Frum, who asked about the international treaties Canada will be violating by legalizing marijuana. Minister Philpott told the Senate that Canada is working closely with various government agencies to address these concerns.

“The fact is that, in fact the world is looking at us very closely about this. I’ve had numerous international delegations who have come and wanted to speak to me specifically about this because it’s something that many countries around the world are very interested in. They’re watching Canada very closely, which speaks to the fact that we have got to get this legislation right.” -Minister of Health, the Honourable Jane Philpott

First, Senator Carignan characterized the government’s commitment to legalize as a rejection of this and other medical evidence showing the harms of cannabis on young brains, and said more research is needed on intoxicated driving before cannabis becomes legal.

“Why is the government both rejecting and ignoring science by going forward with plans to legalize marijuana?” asked the Senator in French.

Canada’s Minister of Health, the Honourable Jane Philpott, took questions today in the Senate’s Question Period, responding to numerous questions about various issues under Health Canada’s review, including two separate questions relating to cannabis legalization.

The first question on marijuana legalization came from Senator Claude Carignan, the Conservative Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, who asked Minister Philpott why the government was rejecting the Canadian Medical Association’s’ recommendation that an age limit of 21 be set for recreational cannabis at a national level.

The CMA also recommended that quantities and the potency of marijuana be more restricted to those under age 25 to discourage use and sharing with underage friends.

The second question came later from Senator Linda Frum, who asked about the international treaties Canada will be violating by legalizing marijuana. Minister Philpott told the Senate that Canada is working closely with various government agencies to address these concerns.

“The fact is that, in fact the world is looking at us very closely about this. I’ve had numerous international delegations who have come and wanted to speak to me specifically about this because it’s something that many countries around the world are very interested in. They’re watching Canada very closely, which speaks to the fact that we have got to get this legislation right.” -Minister of Health, the Honourable Jane Philpott

First, Senator Carignan characterized the government’s commitment to legalize as a rejection of this and other medical evidence showing the harms of cannabis on young brains, and said more research is needed on intoxicated driving before cannabis becomes legal.

“Why is the government both rejecting and ignoring science by going forward with plans to legalize marijuana?” asked the Senator in French.

Minister Philpott responded by pointing out that the task force report took into account considerations like the CMA’s and that extensive thought and research has gone into the approach the government is taking to ensure the protection of young people from the potential risks of cannabis use.

“This is a very good question and you’re absolutely right that our approach to the matter of cannabis is to be sure that we introduce legislation that is evidence-based and, in fact, there is a significant amount of evidence around cannabis, but I would say that it is an area where there is a shortage of scientific research in terms of the potential benefits and risks associated with it.

“Having said that, one of the things that we did in preparation for the introduction of legislation was to initiate a task force which was led by the Honourable Anne McClellan, who went across the country and met with a huge number of special interest groups who gave advice on that. I hope that senators have had the opportunity to read a very excellent report that the task force brought back to us which we’re examining, and this question in terms of age is a very important one … the legislation will be coming out this spring, so obviously we’ll see more about that at that time.

“I will point out one of the challenges around the age is the fact that the highest user group of cannabis is young people between the ages of 18 and 24, in which case one-third of Canadian youth in that particular age bracket of young adults are currently using cannabis, and so that’s something that has to be taken into consideration in the determination of what the legislation should look like. And obviously, the government’s goal is to make sure we minimize the risks associated with the use of cannabis and keep it particularly out of the hands of kids.”

Senator Carignan, as the Conservatives lead in the senate, has been openly critical of the Liberal Government’s pledge to legalize, and has several pointed questions about legalization still to be addressed in Senate. He announced yesterday he will be stepping down from his leadership position effective March 31.

“You’re absolutely right, we’re committed to introducing legislation the spring, 21 days away. The good news is that spring goes right until June the 21st so that gives us a little bit of a window in there. But we are committed to introducing that legislation in the spring.” -Minister of Health, the Honourable Jane Philpott

Senator Linda Frum, another Conservative member of the Senate, asked a follow-up about international treaties, including the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs and the The United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988, noting that spring is ‘only 21 days away’ and the government had pledged to introduce legislation by the spring.

“These treaties have 185 and 189 members, respectfully,” said Senator Frum. “Presumably you intend to withdraw Canada form these treaties. With the prospect of retaliation from member nations, including our neighbour to the south, what conversation have you had with your international counterparts to address the possibility of lengthy wait times at the border because searches at point-of-entry once marijuana is legalized in Canada?”

“You’re absolutely right, we’re committed to introducing legislation the spring, 21 days away,” responded Minister Philpott. “The good news is that spring goes right until June the 21st so that gives us a little bit of a window in there. But we are committed to introducing that legislation in the spring.

“You raise an important point, which is that the matter of legalization of cannabis will put us in the scenario where we will be in contravention of three international treaties. This is something that I have discussed with my colleagues. I’ve discussed it with the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, and it has recently come up in discussions with the new Minister of Foreign Affairs who is very much aware of this, and we have discussed a range of options as to how Canada could respond to that reality.

“The fact is that, in fact, the world is looking at us very closely about this. I’ve had numerous international delegations who have come and wanted to speak to me specifically about this because it’s something that many countries around the world are very interested in. They’re watching Canada very closely, which speaks to the fact that we have got to get this legislation right. In terms of negative impacts, obviously those things need to be taken into consideration—what that could look like as we go forward and make a decision as to our response to treaties. It is something that needs to be taken into consideration.

“You will no doubt be aware that there are a number of states within the United States that do have legalized cannabis at the present time. Of course that doesn’t put them in contravention because it’s not a federal decision there. But it’s a reality that they are also cognizant of. And clearly we would not want to put Canadians travel in jeopardy and will certainly take these things into consideration and I would be happy to update you at a later time.”
This is the third time the Health Minister has taken questions from the Senate.

Original article can be found here