Last week the B.C. government released a number of decisions regarding the distribution of marijuana, including that wholesale distribution will be controlled by the province’s Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB).
With legalization scheduled to occur in July of 2018, the government has announced that the LDB will operate a government-run wholesale distribution model.
As the sole distributor for the province, the LDB will manage all non-medical marijuana that is distributed to retailers, which is then sold to consumers.
Between Sept. 25 and Nov. 1 of this year, the province surveyed and gathered opinions from 48,951 British Columbians and 141 local and indigenous governments.
The Town of Oliver was one of the local governments consulted; in October they sent a letter to the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.
At the time the Town voiced an opinion suggesting that a “Cannabis Control Board” be responsible for the distribution and sale of non-medical marijuana.
This suggestion has been met as the LDB announced that it will create a “septate business operation for cannabis.”
It has not yet been announced if the LDB will also manage a retail model, and if that will be separate from liquor stores or operate out of the same facilities.
With BC Liquor Stores in both Osoyoos and Oliver, this means that should the province and LDB proceed with selling cannabis in the stores, there would be a public retailer in each town.
Osoyoos Mayor Sue McKortoff believes that this model will be the most efficient in seeing that the drug is kept out of the hands of minors.
“I think selling this product in the liquor stores in Osoyoos is the best way to ensure that it is regulated, people 19 and over can buy it and it is safely distributed,” she said. “I cannot think of a better place to sell this once it is legal.”
Oliver Mayor Ron Hovenes shares a similar sentiment, noting that there is still a lot of information that has not yet been released from federal legislation.
“I have always had concerns about product safety, keeping access away from children and having municipalities given the legislative and legal framework given to them. I believe the provincial liquor stores are the best place to start,” he said.
“They have existing rules, regulations and oversight. They have existing zoning and they are very visible.”
In April the federal government released Bill C-45, the Cannabis Act, which states that adults will be permitted to carry up to 30 grams for personal use, and grow a maximum of four plants.
Pricing and tax rates on cannabis sales have not yet been decided.
VANESSA BROADBENT
Special to the Times
