A proposed model for the legalization of recreational marijuana in New Brunswick has been released and calls for a Crown corporation model to regulate and sell cannabis in the province.
The working group who released the recommendations is made up of senior officials from the departments of Public Safety and Justice, Health and Finance, and the New Brunswick Liquor Corporation and Opportunities NB.
The recommendations include the legal age for possession and marijuana use be set at 19, the personal possession limit is set at 30 grams and the report also includes an outline of strategies to reduce harm and risk.
Public consultations will be held this summer surrounding the interim report as a discussion guide.
The select committee will table its report in September and the committee’s findings will help develop the framework for recreational marijuana this fall.
Health Minister Victor Boudreau says the goal is to keep marijuana out of the hands of youth and its proceeds out of the hands of criminals.
The New Brunswick Medical Society thinks the legal age should be set at 21 because the brain is still actively developing until the age of 25, especially in men.
