Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, cannabis is not new in the NWT. Legalized cannabis, though, is a controlled substance that is currently being distributed through liquor stores, as the Member pointed out, and federal requirements mean that it will be tracked from the seed-to-sale manner, and that has to be considered in our approach. I do not believe that legalization will add to illegal activities. We can use the liquor as a model. Even though liquor sales are legal, there is an illegal market that continues to exist. I think early indications are, and I can share some numbers, as of noon today we had 122 registered customers, we have had 37 orders placed, so we have had well over $5,000 worth of product that has been sold already. That is an early indicator, a 12-hour indicator, that we have put a dent into the illegal market. It is a controlled substance, so people who buy from a legal vendor will know that they have a federally controlled substance, and they can have the assurance that it is a safe product. I wish we could eliminate bootlegging completely, not only with cannabis but with liquor, but unfortunately, realistically, that is always going to exist.
Robert C. McLeod on Question 404-18(3): Privately Owned Retail Cannabis Stores
In the Legislative Assembly on October 17th, 2018. See this statement in context.
Question 404-18(3): Privately Owned Retail Cannabis Stores
Oral Questions
October 17th, 2018
Page 4327
See context to find out what was said next.