Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Regulating Cannabis Use in Licensed Establishments
A regulatory framework for licensed establishments (e.g. "cannabis cafes" or "vape lounges") is outside the scope of the bill. This means that we could not amend the bill to explicitly allow such establishments immediately upon legalization. Still, we recognize that this subject is important to many residents.
Many witnesses, including the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce, spoke of the economic benefits potentially associated with such establishments. Others, such as the Canadian Cancer Society, raised health concerns, believing "'cannabis cafes would be untenable if any worker were to be employed, [because] no worker should have to be exposed to any second-hand smoke, [and] especially to continuous high concentrations." A third point of view, from the Public Health Association, suggested that "allowance for the use of specified dwellings in communities where it could be a safe place for those 19 years and older to consume cannabis" could reduce harm by encouraging cannabis consumption outside the home. Similarly, Ms. Kim MacNearney wrote of her concern that highly restrictive rules for public consumption would "perpetuat[e] the stigma of 'cannabis use and users are bad and should not be within public view.'"
Recommendation 3 addressed this matter.
Workplace Use and Impairment
We heard many questions about cannabis use and impairment in the workplace, particularly where impairment could pose a risk to public safety (e.g. pilots, truck and bus drivers, et cetera). Witnesses also asked about rules for employers and tools for determining impairment.
In a public meeting on April 20, 2018, the Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC) advised the committees that regulations and policy will be developed to address any changes arising from cannabis legalization. We trust that the WSCC will continue to provide all reasonable support to territorial employers, including legalization-specific training, materials, and other supports. We also note that employers are able to have their own policies related to drug use and/or impairment in the workplace, while the Mine Health and Safety Regulations already prohibit "impair[ment] by alcohol or drugs while at work."
Youth
Legal age
Bill 6 proposed that the minimum legal age for cannabis purchase, possession, and use will be 19 years, as it is for alcohol.
During our tour, we heard support for maintaining the proposed legal age, as well as raising it (for example, to 21 years or to 25 years) and lowering it (e.g. to 18 years). Students in Ulukhaktok and Tuktoyaktuk discussed a range of options, up to age 21. Other witnesses spoke to the impact of cannabis on brain development in children and youth, given that contemporary medical science suggests that parts of the brain continue to develop through age 25. We heard advocacy for a "harm-reduction" approach, although some citing this methodology felt that a higher legal age would not prevent consumption, but instead encourage illegal consumption, while others put forward an opposing view.
We also heard comparisons to the Northwest Territories' legal age for purchase and consumption of tobacco (18 years). The Canadian Cancer Society recommended "that the GNWT set the same legal for cannabis and tobacco [in its proposal, age 21], and ensure active enforcement of regulations prohibiting the sale of cannabis and tobacco products to minors is fully implemented." Students at Hay River's Diamond Jenness Secondary School made similar comparisons, noting that the GNWT's proposed legislation would incongruously allow northern teens to legally access cigarettes with "tonnes of chemicals" before they are able to legally access cannabis.
Our research shows that the decision to synchronize legal age for both alcohol and cannabis is consistent with those of all other Canadian jurisdictions except Manitoba's. Ongoing studies continue to assess the impacts of cannabis, which has generally increased in potency over the last 50 years, on the human brain. We encourage the GNWT, as both a cannabis regulator and healthcare provider, to monitor this research.
Purchase and Possession by Minors
Bill 6 proposed to prohibit minors from possessing any cannabis and to ticket for possession, with penalties consistent with those for youth possession of both alcohol and cigarettes. As set out in proposed federal legislation, minors will face criminal charges only if they are found to possess or distribute more than five grams.
Throughout our engagement, Northerners emphasized their belief that education at home, at school, and in the community is essential and that youth should not be criminalized. Students at Deninu School in Fort Resolution suggested that an appropriate enforcement response to youth possession under five grams would be the seizure of any cannabis and discussion with parents or guardians, not a monetary penalty.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to turn the reading of this report over to the Member for Sahtu. Mahsi.