Montreal wants to enclose the pot in public

Laurence Houde-Roy

Wednesday, 17 January, 2018 23:41

UPDATE
Wednesday, 17 January, 2018 23:41

Look at this article

The City of Montreal is asking the government to have the power to restrict the consumption of cannabis in public places, such as on the sites of festivals.

The interest to be able to quickly change the rules of consumption in a public place would be especially necessary “when events are family-oriented or organized for the benefit of young people,” said a memory of the City handed out Wednesday to the government.

“It could be argued that this would not be appropriate to consume cannabis during the Fête des neiges, gives the example of Robert Beaudry, a member of the executive committee. If we take this decision, we would like to have the right very quickly to curtail it, ” he explains, adding that it wanted to avoid to constantly ask permission to Quebec.

Mr. Beaudry said that the matter would be investigated as a function of “the rationale of the event” to avoid encouraging the consumption of cannabis near children, for example.

The official opposition, All of Montreal, believes that the City should instead rely on a framework similar to the one that aims at the consumption of alcohol by prohibiting the consumption of cannabis in any public place, unless permission is granted.

Resource needs

The mayor Valérie Plante recalled Wednesday morning that Montreal’s “will need significant resources” to ensure the legalization of pot on its territory.

The costs could rise up to $ 9.3 million per year in Montreal only in security and the fight against smuggling, revealed a report commissioned by the City to the firm Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton.

Mrs. Plant said that this analysis is based on the parameters of production and current income, but that they could evolve. It has to speak about this matter with the prime minister Philippe Couillard soon.

The Montreal police Department may have to hire up to 42 new employees to ensure the dismantling of illegal settlements and the fight against smuggling.

Psychiatrists

The psychiatrists have also sounded the alarm, urging Quebec to limit the percentage of THC in the cannabis to prevent the legalization of a drug lasts, which increases the risk of psychosis.

The Association des médecins psychiatres du Québec recommends a maximum THC content of 15 % to 16 %. She does not wish to prohibit the use of this drug for 21 years and less, but rather proposes a new approach to engage all political parties : a reduced rate of 8 % of this substance for the 18-to-21 years.

– With Charles Lecavalier, parliamentary Bureau