Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to compare some laws in the NWT regarding alcohol and cannabis possession. As we all know, last October marked the legalization of recreational cannabis across Canada. This shift in federal policy has triggered a massive legislative overhaul to all laws pertaining to the purchase, transportation, and possession of cannabis, along with newer penalties for alcohol- and drug-impaired driving.
Mr. Speaker, at this time I believe that we should consider the harmonization of cannabis and alcohol because there exist several key differences in terms of legal limits on purchase, possession, and transportation that encumbers one substance but not the other. Currently, it is cannabis that is more tightly regulated than alcohol, which is only because alcohol prohibition ended sooner than for cannabis and has thus become less restrictive over time. However, from a harm reduction perspective, such restrictions for one substance over the other makes little sense, especially when you consider that the more restricted substance of cannabis is actually less harmful to people than alcohol.
Mr. Speaker, the harmonization of certain policies is nothing new to the NWT. In fact, there already exists some elements of policy harmonization between alcohol and cannabis. For example, the punishments for selling cannabis or alcohol to minors is exactly the same, as is the purchase of either substance from an unlicensed vendor and driving under the influence of either substance, as well.
The point that I am trying to make, Mr. Speaker, is simple. If the government wishes for our citizens to consume legal substances safely, responsibly, and in moderation, then the policy should be more consistent across the board. After all, both cannabis and alcohol already share the same minimum age for purchase, possession, and consumption. Why is it that we have purchase limits on the amount of cannabis, but no limits on how much alcohol one can buy? There is also zero limit to the amount of alcohol anyone can carry in person or transport to their homes. Why are we treating one substance differently than the other?
To be clear, Mr. Speaker, I am not advocating for the deregulation of either cannabis or alcohol. I am merely suggesting that we place them both on an even playing field. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted