With non-medical cannabis going legal Oct. 17, Justice and Public Safety Minister Andrew Parsons says Newfoundlanders and Labradorians should visit gov.nl.ca/cannabis to learn more about what the policy shift means and to find answers to their cannabis questions.
Parsons said the aim of passing provincial legislation was to provide access to a safe supply of legal cannabis and encouraging low-risk use by adults who choose to use it, while keeping it out of the hands of children; promote safety on the roads, in public places and workplaces; reduce the burden on the criminal justice system; keep profits from the sale of cannabis out of the hands of criminals and support new business opportunities.
Once legalization takes place, residents will be required to be at least 19 years old to purchase, consume or possess cannabis, will not be able to use cannabis in a public place and will be able to purchase it at licensed private retailers or through the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corp.’s online store.
To align with federal laws, residents will be able to grow up to four plants per private residence and will be able to possess up to 30 grams of cannabis in a public place. But driving while impaired will remain a criminal offence with zero tolerance under provincial law for anyone under 22 – just as with alcohol. There will also be zero tolerance for novice drivers and drivers of commercial motor vehicles, Parsons noted.
